CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR REDUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORED IN A LEAD INDUCTANCE FOR FAST EXTINCTION OF PLASMA ARCS

摘要

A circuit configuration (9) for reducing electrical energy stored in a lead inductance formed by a number of leads (3.1, 3.2), wherein said leads connect a direct current power supply unit (5) with a load (2), in particular a plasma application, comprises a switching means (SS) in operative connection with one of the leads (3.2) for enabling/interrupting power supply to the load. The proposed circuit configuration (9) further comprises a first electrical non-linear device (D2) arranged in parallel with the switching means (SS); a energy storing device (C) arranged in parallel with the switching means (SS) and in series with the first electrical non-linear device (D2); and a pre-charging circuit (7) in operative connection with the energy storing device (C) for charging the energy storing device to a pre-determined voltage level while power supply to the load (2) is enabled.