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Registered Member #1321
Joined: Sat Feb 16 2008, 03:22AM
Location:
Posts: 843
I see some published papers referring to spark gap simulations done with Pspice; and somewhere I've seen it stated that spark gaps can be modeled in Pspice by way of "analog behavorial modeling", but I can't find any kind of example to look at anywhere. I thought that maybe an example circuit model would come with the software...but if there is one here somewhere I can't find it.
Registered Member #1792
Joined: Fri Oct 31 2008, 08:12PM
Location: University of California
Posts: 527
wrote ... In my opinion SG are useless....
And why is that?
The traditional way to do stuff like this is to kludge together existing SPICE components until it looks like a spark gap at the two external terminals. Two back to back zener diodes is a simple way. See for example the top google results: (has some linked references worth perusing if you have a subscription) (includes what I think is a PSpice simulation file)
The term behavioral modeling, where I've seen it, refers to modeling circuit components using equations. This can be a good way to model nonlinear behavior, such as the current-voltage characteristics of the plasma in a spark gap, but you'll have to add in something to account for the hysteresis - when the gap breaks down voltage drops back down while current rises.
Registered Member #30
Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 10:52AM
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 6706
Behavioral modelling means that you don't care about getting the physics right, as long as it behaves close enough to the real thing for your purposes. If you focus on modelling the physics, and the behaviour you need just falls out as a consequence, that is physical modelling.
Zener diodes don't necessarily behave right, because a spark gap tends to break down more like a diac.
I've used 200kV "zeners" in PSpice simulations of Tesla coils, and also a load resistor connected by a switch at the estimated time of breakout.
LTSpice (and probably PSpice too) has behavioral sources, where you can set the V-I characteristic by code. Equations, if-then clauses like a programming language, and so on.
But the general spark gap modelling problem is still open. A proper dynamic streamer load model would be of tremendous use in Tesla coil simulation.
Registered Member #2431
Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639
Steve McConner wrote ...
A proper dynamic streamer load model would be of tremendous use in Tesla coil simulation.
Well ill agree with McConner on that, there are times where it would be nice to understand the breakout/breakdown condidtions... to make it more or less probable.
Maybe looking at powerline/lightning or quenching books would give some insight, i dont know what his average and peak kV is though, or his purpose. Rate of rise in kV per uS matters too.
Registered Member #1321
Joined: Sat Feb 16 2008, 03:22AM
Location:
Posts: 843
I've tried to "rig something up" using "CircuitMaker" (and other programs), e.g. using voltage-controlled switches, but it seems the solution always fails to converge...even when I try to tweak the solver settings...it still doesn't work.
I've also tried to use the program "Microcap", which has a built-in spark gap macro. Unfortunately though, when I try to use the spark gap in anything other than simple resistive circuits (e.g. with coupled coils), it just dies.
Registered Member #1321
Joined: Sat Feb 16 2008, 03:22AM
Location:
Posts: 843
I saw a few published papers where people are using the Pspice "closing switch" (SW_tClose) in lieu of an actual spark gap model, for simulating things like Marx generators and Blumleins...so I suppose I could use it too.
Does anyone know if SW_tClose is included in Cadence Orcad v9.2 "lite"?
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Has anyone successfully simulated a spark gap with Pspice?
