Pulsed Voltage and Current Measurements

Pulse voltage measurement techniques include crest voltmeters, voltage dividers, capacitive probes, electro‐optical transducers, and reflection attenuators. Spark gaps can be used for the measurement of crest values of voltage pulses from 1 kV to 2.5 MV. Good irradiation and short gap spacing are the key requirements of spark gaps for measurement of crest voltages of nanosecond pulses. Because spark gaps with small gap spacing can handle only small voltages of not more than tens of kilovolts, they have to be used in conjunction with calibrated voltage dividers for measurement of very high voltages. Pulsed currents can be monitored with resistive current shunts, Rogowski coils, B‐dot probes, current transformers, and magneto‐optic devices. The increase in the magnetic permeability improves the sensitivity and hence extends its usefulness for the measurement of low currents. Current transformers, used to measure alternating currents on high‐voltage power transmission lines, need a careful insulation design.