The response of resistance voltage dividers to steep-front impulse waves

Abstract

At present there is no generally accepted technique for determining the response of high-voltage dividers to fractional microsecond impulse waves. This paper describes a method which uses a low-voltage cable-type pulse generator and a high-speed oscilloscope as the basic tools. A technique for calibrating the oscilloscope amplifier and the associated input attenuators is described. The effects of such parameters as total divider resistance, divider length, and connecting lead lengths have been investigated. The accuracy and limitations of vertical resistance dividers for measuring steep-front waves are evaluated.