Analysis and Application of the Series Core Snubber

The transformer core snubber (CS), as one of the most important components in the EAST (experimental advanced superconducting tokamak) NBI (neutral beam injector) system, is designed to limit grid damage and protect the ion source during periods of electrical breakdowns. A transformer core snubber is analyzed in detail in this paper. Several kinds of soft magnetic cores are presented and compared. With analysis and experiment on the basic characteristics of the cores, the most suitable materials are suggested. The circuit simulation code is established which could simulate faulty conditions with concentrated and distributed CS concepts. Based on the above work, an ion source CS is developed with series type of distributed topology. The CS has been subjected to experimental validation at 80 kV with a peak short-current of approximately 400 A in a real NBI system, which proves the accuracy of the adopted assumptions and the analysis method.