DC high-voltage generators are critical components in a wide array of high-tech fields, from scientific research like electron beam ion trap devices to industrial applications such as cable testing and medical X-ray equipment. The evolution from traditional line-frequency transformer-based systems to advanced solid-state designs represents a significant leap in performance, reliability, and precision.

The Technological Shift: From Traditional to Advanced Topologies

Traditional high-voltage DC power sources, which relied on direct voltage step-up via power-frequency transformers followed by rectification and filtering, were often plagued by low precision, complex adjustment procedures, and high ripple coefficients. Modern systems, however, leverage technologies like full-bridge inversion, voltage multiplier rectification, and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control. A prime example is a 200 kV DC power supply designed for electron beam equipment, which utilizes high-frequency inversion and a bidirectional voltage multiplier circuit. This design achieves a continuously adjustable output from 0 to 200 kV, with both ripple and stability factors of less than 0.01%:cite[1].

Key Performance Metrics: Ripple and Stability

Voltage ripple is a paramount factor affecting performance, especially in sensitive applications like electron beam generation. For instance, a 100 kV/25 mA high-voltage DC power supply was developed with a peak-to-peak high-voltage ripple of less than 0.06%. This was achieved by employing a full-bridge inverter and a bipolar Cockcroft-Walton multiplier circuit with an asymmetric capacitor configuration, which also reduced the stored high-voltage energy to minimize damage risk during arcing events:cite[3].

Adherence to Industry Standards

Compliance with technical standards ensures safety, reliability, and interoperability. The industry standard DL/T 848.1-2019 specifies the technical requirements, test methods, and inspection rules for DC high-voltage generators used in power equipment testing:cite[2]. Furthermore, specific sectors have their own stringent norms; for example, the medical field adheres to YY/T 1944-2024 for medical X-ray high-voltage generators:cite[5]. For insulation coordination in HVDC systems, standards like IEC 60071-11 provide definitions, principles, and rules:cite[10].

Application Spectrum

The use of DC high-voltage generators spans multiple domains:

• Power Grid Infrastructure: Testing insulation strength and leakage current of power cables, transformers, and surge arresters. Cascade generators are specifically designed for DC withstand voltage tests on capacitive test objects like power cables:cite[6]:cite[7].

• Scientific Research: Powering devices such as electron beam ion traps and particle accelerators, where extreme voltage stability and minimal ripple are crucial:cite[1].

• Medical Equipment: Serving as the high-voltage source for X-ray generators in medical imaging systems:cite[5]:cite[8].

• Industrial Processes: Used in applications like electrostatic precipitation and paint spraying:cite[8].

Innovations in Circuit Design

Recent research focuses on achieving ultra-high voltage gain with high efficiency. Novel quadratic DC/DC converter designs integrate coupled inductors with voltage multiplier cells. This approach achieves a significant step-up voltage gain while featuring benefits like low voltage stress on switching devices, an continuous input current, and a shared ground between the input source and output load:cite[9].

Conclusion

The development of DC high-voltage generators is characterized by a relentless pursuit of higher stability, lower ripple, and stricter adherence to international standards. Through the adoption of advanced power electronics and sophisticated circuit topologies, modern generators deliver unparalleled performance, meeting the rigorous demands of both industrial testing and cutting-edge scientific research. This technical progression continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in high-voltage engineering.