DETONATOR FIRING CIRCUIT

摘要

A circuit (10) for firing an initiating element (24) of a detonator, the circuit including an integrated circuit controller (12), an energy storage device (18), a first switch (28), and current regulating structure (26), wherein the current regulating structure and the first switch are connected in series with the initiating element, the current regulating structure includes a switching arrangement (32), the current limiting structure (36) which is connected in parallel to the arrangement, and the controller is operable, with the voltage of the energy storage device below a defined level, to close the first switch to allow a test current to pass through the structure and the element and, with the voltage of the device at an operative level, which is greater than the defined level, to close the first switch to cause closure of the arrangement, to allow a firing current, produced by the device, to pass through the arrangement and the element.