EML switching technology

It is reported that pure arc commutation can be made to work nondestructively to the 100 kA level if attention is paid to armature velocity and commutation line width, but that at the megampere level required in railguns it is necessary to incorporate a massive resistor element and to ensure that a significant fraction of the arc current is diverted into this element. It has also been found expedient to separate opening switches into distinct elements which perform the three functions of charging, opening, and reconnection (crowbarring), because these three functions have conflicting requirements. The three types of switches and their actuation mechanisms and control are discussed.< >