Electronic – High Voltage Measuring System

high voltagemultimeter

I am looking to set up a voltage-measuring system for the output of a recently purchased HV power source. The source supplies around 0 – -60 kV DC and 10 mA to my load. Unfortunately, the source does not have a voltage measuring system, so I will be tasked in its creation. This will be of particular difficulty because I do not have enough money to purchase sufficient HV probes that could simply be attached to a multi meter. Thus, I will need a way to lower the incoming voltage from -60 kV to something manageable for the multi meter.

Currently, this is the schematic that I am considering to use in order to lower the voltage:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

The multi meter that I currently own can handle up to 660 VDC. Using my apparatus above coupled with the multi meter, would the multi meter be able handle the voltage that is delivered to it and give out an accurate reading of the line voltage (assuming that a series of calculations are performed)?

Best Answer

  1. You are unlikely to find a single resistor that can handle 60kV. You will probably have to use many resistors in series. Make sure to consider the tolerance when calculating the voltage across each resistor.

  2. The 100M resistor would be dissipating 36 W.

  3. Be careful of the loading on the supply. This contraption draws 0.6mA.

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