How do coaxial switches handle high - power signals without damage
High-Power Coaxial Switch Technology
1. Heavy-Duty Contact Materials
- Contacts made from high-conductivity, arc-resistant materials like tungsten, silver, or gold-plated copper
- Withstand arcing during switching and reduce erosion from high-current pulses
For example, tungsten-carbide inserts in relay contacts can handle kilowatt-level power
2. Enhanced Thermal Dissipation
- Heat-resistant housings (e.g., aluminum or copper alloys)
- Thermal interface materials (e.g., graphite pads)
- Some designs include forced air cooling or heat sinks for continuous use
3. Optimized Gap Design
- Larger contact gaps and insulated dielectric barriers (e.g., PTFE or ceramic)
- Prevent electrical breakdown under high voltage
- Air-dielectric coaxial structures reduce dielectric heating for higher power handling
4. Slow-Contact-Closure Techniques
- Gradual contact engagement (e.g., using dampers or spring-loaded mechanisms)
- Minimizes inrush currents and arcing
- Protects contacts from instantaneous power surges
5. Overcurrent Protection
- Built-in fuses, current limiters, or crowbar circuits
- Prevents catastrophic failure during faults
- Some include real-time power monitoring to adjust operation
6. High-Power Ratings
- Rated for specific power levels (e.g., kW for radar, MW for industrial)
- Design margins to handle transient spikes
Military-grade coaxial switches may have power ratings 2–3 times higher than nominal operating levels
These features ensure coaxial switches maintain integrity in high-power environments like radar transmitters, industrial welding systems, or satellite communications, where signal strength and reliability are critical.