A high voltage, high di/dt, modular solid state switch intended to replace thyratrons in high power modular applications is under development. This paper describes results of testing a switch module with a 10kV, 6kA, 30 kA/µs, 3µs PFN, under normal and load fault conditions. Initial results of multiple module tests with a 30kV PFN are also be presented. The switch module uses 3, 5kV, 13mm diameter thyristors connected in series. These thyristors were developed specifically for pulsed power

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... cations, and have an interdigitated gate/cathode geometry to minimize turn-on losses and maximize di/dt. The module's trigger circuit uses the switched energy to drive the thyristor gates, eliminating the need for an external gate drive power supply. A 35V, 1A, pulse triggers the module. The compact, modular package design facilitates the development of drop-in replacement switches for thyratrons with voltage ratings of >60 kV.