High-voltage pulse generator with gas-discharge starter for high-pressure lamps ignition

The gas-discharge starter consists of a combination of three elements: a key, leakage resistance and a gap that allows to expand the application field of starters, creating their basis the devices for igniting high-pressure discharge lamps. Parameters of the gap (breakdown voltage) depend on the design of the starter composition and pressure of the filling gas – the more is the gas pressure in the starter, the lower is its “breakdown” voltage, the lighter is the gas the greater is the breakdown voltage. The area of the cathode spot localization is located near the junction of the electrode with glass. The occurence of breakdowns in the starter is explained from position of an explosive electron emission occurence, which provides sufficient current density for such a transition. The measured value of the current reached 400 A. To generate a pulse with an amplitude of 15–30 kV the authors introduce variations of devices with the starter and auto-transformer (IZUS-A), with a starter and a transformer (IZUS-T).