HIGH VOLTAGE LOADS AND ATTENUATORS

High voltage loads and attenuators are measurement accessories designed to characterize fast high-voltage pulses generated by pulsed power systems or pulse generators. They provide a controlled coaxial resistive load while, in the specific case of the attenuators, simultaneously reducing the amplitude of the measured signal so that it can be safely captured by measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes or digitizers. By combining a high-voltage load with a calibrated divisor stage, these devices allow engineers to observe high-energy pulses while protecting sensitive measurement instruments from excessive voltage levels.

A high voltage attenuator reduces the amplitude of an electrical signal while preserving its waveform. In these devices, the attenuation is achieved using a precisely designed resistive network integrated into a coaxial structure. The nominal attenuation of Montena Technology high voltage attenuators is 54 dB, which significantly lowers the signal level before it reaches the measurement instrument. This allows extremely high voltage pulses to be observed with standard RF measurement equipment while maintaining signal fidelity and measurement safety.

Pulse generators and high-voltage transmission lines are typically designed to operate with a defined characteristic impedance (often 50 Ω). Using a properly matched resistive load ensures that the energy delivered by the generator is absorbed correctly, preventing signal reflections and waveform distortions. In measurement setups, a high-voltage resistive load acts as both a termination and a measurement interface, enabling accurate characterization of fast electrical pulses generated by pulsed power systems or EMC test equipment.

In a typical pulsed power measurement chain, the high-voltage signal generated by a pulse generator or test system is first connected to the high voltage load and attenuator.

The load absorbs the energy of the pulse while the integrated attenuation stage reduces the signal amplitude. The attenuated signal is then transmitted through a coaxial output connector to the measurement instrument, such as an oscilloscope or digitizer.

This configuration enables engineers to safely analyze the waveform of high-voltage transients without exposing measurement equipment to the full pulse amplitude.

High-voltage loads and attenuators used in pulsed power measurements are designed with a very broadband frequency response, allowing them to capture extremely fast transient signals. Depending on the model, the frequency response can extend from DC up to several hundred megahertz or even into the gigahertz range, ensuring accurate measurement of fast voltage pulses and electromagnetic transients.

Maintaining a flat frequency response across this bandwidth is essential to avoid distortion of high-speed pulse waveforms.

These accessories are widely used in pulsed power laboratories, EMC testing facilities, and high-voltage research environments. Typical applications include the characterization of pulse generators, the measurement of fast voltage transients, and testing systems designed to generate electromagnetic disturbances.

They are particularly useful when engineers need to measure high-energy electrical pulses while maintaining controlled impedance and protecting measurement instruments from excessive voltage levels.