NSTU-NETI scientists have developed a combined wave generator with a voltage of up to 25,000 V

According to Alexander Mulbayer, head of the Electrotechnical Laboratory, senior lecturer at the Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics at the Faculty of Energy of the NSTU-NETI, the development, made specifically for the St. Petersburg company Hakel JSC, is designed to test surge protection devices. "Ultrasound of the third class tests, according to the requirements of regulatory documentation, undergo a series of pulse effects, which include combined wave tests. The combined wave is created by a generator (GKV) that delivers standard lightning pulses: voltage of 1,2/50 microseconds in idle mode and current of 8/20 microseconds in short—circuit mode," said Alexander Mulbayer.

"The combined wave generator made at NSTU-NETI is unique for Russia, differing from the models presented on the market by a number of features. Firstly, all commercially available combined wave generators have the highest output voltage of no more than 4000 V, our development can produce standard lightning pulses of up to 25,000 V. Secondly, according to existing standards, tests using GKV should be carried out when an operating voltage is applied to the ultrasound. To carry out these tests, an external operating voltage source has been developed for the generator, which is capable of creating an alternating voltage from 3 to 1250 V and a constant voltage from 3 to 1500 V," added Dmitry Koryako, a second—year graduate student, research engineer at the Electrotechnical laboratory, assistant at the Department of High Voltage Engineering and Electrophysics at the Faculty of Energy of NSTU-NETI.

For ease of operation, the generator has three operating modes: autonomous, remote and using a personal computer. At the moment, the generator has been certified as a test tool and is successfully used in production conditions. 

Earlier, scientists at NSTU-NETI presented a device for detecting metal winding circuits of coils manufactured in hardware. The equipment, also custom-made by an industrial partner, is easy to use and versatile, allowing it to be used for various types of coils. Other developments of the electrotechnical laboratory can be found on the website.