5. High-voltage generators

5.1 Test generator

When it comes to high-voltage generators, there are a number of special features that need to be borne in mind.

• It must be able to operate at a very wide range of voltages: from a few kilovolts (50 kV) to 1,000 or 1,500 kV rms, possibly by modifying the transformation ratio with a series-parallel winding in the low-voltage winding.

• High-voltage generators are generally used intermittently, and their operating time, particularly for dielectric tests, is very short (at generator limit voltages, operating time is generally limited to 1 or 2 min, or even 5 min, plus the time required for voltage rise and fall). As a result, the device will be required to deliver...