What had to be solved
The task was to make a compact high-voltage source that can operate as a standalone instrument and also as a controlled actuator node inside a test bench or experimental setup.
Projects / Laboratory and scientific instruments
Compact 0-5 kV high-voltage source
Regulated compact 0-5 kV high-voltage source for standalone use or command control from a controller, PC or debugging system.
What the project reached
A standalone high-voltage source was developed with external command control, state indication and protective output shutdown on mode change or communication loss.
Video
Short demonstration
A short recording of the device or test bench in operation.
Public materials
Engineering context
Important constraints
The output voltage range is 0-5 kV.
The device must support standalone operation from controls on the enclosure.
External control over UART/USB had to be simple enough for scripts, terminals, Arduino, ESP32, Python or a PC.
Switching operating mode or losing communication must not leave the high-voltage output enabled unexpectedly.
The device is connected with public Sechenov University / IBTI project context.
Work done
What was included
High-voltage source and control-electronics circuitry.
AUTO and EXTERNAL modes with a mechanical mode switch.
Text command protocol for external control.
Power, output and fault indication.
Maximum-voltage limiting through a hardware potentiometer.
Protective output shutdown on mode switching and communication timeout.
Details
Engineering project description
Operating modes
In AUTO mode the controls are on the enclosure, and the source works as a standalone instrument without an external controller.
In EXTERNAL mode the source accepts commands and can be controlled in real time: the output can be switched on or off, and voltage can be set by command.
Safe mode switching
Mode selection is made with a separate mechanical switch. When the mode changes, the device automatically disables the high-voltage output. In external-control mode, the output is also disabled if communication is lost for more than 5 seconds.
The front-panel potentiometer limits the maximum possible voltage even when the voltage command comes from an external system.
Command interface
Control is performed over UART/USB using text commands. The interface is suitable for Arduino, ESP32, Python scripts, terminal software or a PC application.
- 1 - enable output with the last configured voltage
- 0 - disable output
- 1 3500 - enable output at 3500 V
- STATUS - request current state
Main parameters
- 0-5 kV output voltage
- switching frequency up to 10 Hz
- USB-B 5 V supply, current consumption up to 1.5 A
- DC or square-wave output modes
- square-wave period setting through virtual COM port
- operating temperature -20...+40 C
Operating limitations
- high voltage is dangerous and requires HV safety discipline
- the output stage does not have galvanic isolation from the input supply and shares a common minus
Contact
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