Design and implementation of a programmable high-voltage impulse measurement system

High-voltage impulses (HVIs) are produced under laboratory conditions in order to emulate actual internal (switching) and external (lightning, thunderbolt) voltages. HVI resistance tests are essential to meet national and international standards on the production of electromechanical devices and materials, such as switchgears, and transformers that operate under these actual conditions. Accurate measurement of HVI is excessively difficult since the voltage level is so high, while the time parameters are relatively constricted. In this study, a reliable automatic HVI measuring and recording system, which accommodates a series of hardware and software designs in order to satisfy the constraints of the standards, is devised. The system provides high performance for measurement speed, resolution, and accuracy. Its lightweight, portable, and economical design brings about a prevalence of availability for medium- and small-scale electromechanical manufacturers.