A new technique for troubleshooting large capacitive energy storage banks

Many pulse power systems rely on large numbers of inductively isolated high voltage capacitors configured in parallel for energy storage. Often when an energy storage capacitor fails there is little or no external indication. Identifying the failed component can be a time consuming and potentially h...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fulkerson, E.S., Hammon, J.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Capacitors
Circuit testing
Energy storage
Laboratories
Personnel
Pulse power systems
Resonant frequency
RLC circuits
Safety
Voltage
Online Access:Request full text
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Description
Summary:Many pulse power systems rely on large numbers of inductively isolated high voltage capacitors configured in parallel for energy storage. Often when an energy storage capacitor fails there is little or no external indication. Identifying the failed component can be a time consuming and potentially hazardous operation. We have developed a new noninvasive (i.e. no dismantling of the bank is required) technique that greatly improves personnel safety as well reducing troubleshooting time. We present the theory of operation, a complete description of the battery-powered hardware, test results and techniques of operation.
DOI:10.1109/PPPS.2001.1001717