For developing high-power gas spark switch with simple structure and convenient maintenance

a multi-gap gas spark switch with atmospheric pressure air corona equalization is developed. The switch adopts corona discharge equalization mode and consists of nine identical gaps. The electric field of the nine-gaps gas spark switch with corona equalization is analyzed by finite element method. It is found that the suitable length corona needle has little influence on the electric field of the main gap of the switch

and

in case of loading trigger pulse

the strong distortion electric filed can be formed in the middle gap. On the basis of theoretical analysis

the study of breakdown characteristic of the multi-gap gas spark switch is developed. The experimental results show that corona equalization is beneficial to improve stability of the switch. The self breakdown voltage dispersion of the switch is reduced and the self breakdown voltage is slightly increased. At the same time

a good triggering characteristic of the multi-gap switch is obtained. In the range of working voltage 60~85 kV (the working under-voltage ratio is 56.8%~80%)

the breakdown delay jitter of the switch is less than 20 ns. When the working voltage reaches more than 80 kV

the jitter can be less than 10 ns. The multi-gap gas spark switch with atmospheric air pressure corona equalization can be used in such pulse power systems as linear transformer driver. The method used to optimize the electrode structure on the basis of electric field simulation has reference significance for the design of other types of switchgear.