When designing high-voltage circuits, it is critical to select electronic components specifically rated to withstand the intended operating voltage. This page provides a list of common high-voltage component types and their manufacturers, suitable for applications exceeding 1000V. Successful high-voltage circuit design also requires careful consideration of factors beyond component selection, including creepage and clearance distances on printed circuit boards (PCBs), proper mounting techniques, and the prevention of contamination on boards and components.
High-voltage electronic component types and manufacturers
High-voltage Resistors
High voltage resistors are designed to safely divide voltage and limit current in high-voltage circuits operating from several kilovolts to tens of kilovolts. Constructed with metal film or ceramic coatings to achieve excellent insulation and arc resistance, these resistors offer long-term stability in critical applications. They are typically used in monitoring circuits of high-voltage power supplies, discharge paths, and bleeder circuits. Specifications such as resistance value, power rating, and impulse voltage withstand are critical parameters for ensuring safety and reliability.
- Murata Manufacturing https://www.murata.com/en-us/products/resistor/highvoltage
- KOA https://www.koaglobal.com/product/purpose/hva?sc_lang=en
- MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL NEXT COMPANY,INC. https://www.mgcnext.co.jp/eng/
- Tyco Electronics https://www.te.com/en/products/passive-components/resistors.html
- Vishay Intertechnology https://www.vishay.com/
- Nicrom Electronic https://www.high-voltage-resistors.com/
- Miba Resistors Austria GmbH https://www.ebg-resistors.com/
- SRT Resistor Technology https://exxelia.com/
- Exxelia https://srt-restech.de/en/srt-resistor-technology/
High-voltage Capacitors
High voltage capacitors utilize dielectric materials with high dielectric strength, enabling efficient energy storage and discharge under high voltage stress. Depending on the application, polypropylene film, ceramic, or oil-filled types are selected. These capacitors are widely used for ripple filtering, in high-voltage pulse circuits, and as smoothing capacitors in applications like X-ray power supplies. They are designed to minimize partial discharge and leakage current, maintaining stable capacitance over extended periods of operation. The high-voltage capacitor category includes high-voltage ceramic capacitors, high-voltage film capacitors, and high-voltage microwave capacitors.
- Murata Manufacturing https://www.murata.com/en-us/products/capacitor/ceramiccapacitor
- KYOCERA https://www.kyocera-avx.com/products/ceramic-capacitors/high-voltage/
- SRT Microcéramique https://www.srt-microceramique.com/en/
- HVP High Voltage Products GmbH https://www.hvproducts.de/capacitors
- Electro Technik Industries https://www.plasticcapacitors.com/index.php
- Teledyne Reynolds https://www.teledynedefenseelectronics.com/reynolds/prod/high-energy-devices/Pages/mica-capacitors.aspx
- VISHAY https://www.vishay.com/en/capacitors/ceramic/high-voltage/
High voltage Diode (High voltage Rectifier)
High voltage diodes are semiconductor components with high reverse voltage ratings, typically ranging from a few kilovolts to tens of kilovolts. They are essential in high-voltage rectification and voltage multiplier circuits. Utilizing structures like stacked silicon junctions, these diodes achieve low leakage current and fast recovery characteristics. They are particularly suited for Cockcroft-Walton type multipliers, DC high-voltage supplies, and power sources for electron guns.
- VOLTAGE MULTIPLIERS INC https://voltagemultipliers.com/products/diodes/
- HVP High Voltage Products GmbH https://www.hvproducts.de/diodes_and_assemblies
- Vishay Intertechnology https://www.vishay.com/
Gas Discharge Tube (Spark Gap)
Spark gaps are devices consisting of two electrodes that initiate a gas discharge when a specified breakdown voltage is reached. They are used for surge protection, transient suppression, and high-energy pulse switching. Designed to withstand repetitive discharge events, they provide stable triggering characteristics and reliable operation. The breakdown voltage can be adjusted via electrode spacing and gas type, making spark gaps indispensable for pulse generators and surge protection circuits.
- Teledyne Reynolds https://www.teledynedefenseelectronics.com/reynolds/prod/high-energy-devices/Pages/Spark-Gaps.aspx
- Lightning Protection Corporation https://lightningprotectioncor.stage.thomasnet-navigator.com/category/gas-tube-spark-gaps-2
- High Energy Devices https://highenergydevices.com/products/
- Littelfuse https://www.littelfuse.com/products/overvoltage-protection/gas-discharge-tubes
High voltage Relay (High voltage Solid State Relay, High voltage Contactor)
High voltage relays are switching components used for controlling high-voltage circuits. They are available in various forms, including electromagnetic and vacuum types. Their contact spacing and insulation structures are significantly reinforced compared to conventional relays, preventing arc discharge during switching. These relays combine high dielectric strength with low contact resistance, making them ideal for use in medical X-ray systems, source selector circuits, and high-voltage test equipment.
- Sensata Technologies https://www.sensata.com/products/relays/high-voltage-relays
- Tyco Electronics https://www.te.com/en/products/relays-and-contactors/relays/high-voltage-relays.html?tab=pgp-story
- Pickering Electronics https://www.pickeringrelay.com/reed-relays/high-voltage/
- Standex Electronics https://standexelectronics.com/products/high-voltage-reed-relays/
- HONGFA https://www.hongfa.com/en/product/list/dc-relay
- Littelfuse https://www.littelfuse.com/products/dc-solenoids-and-relays/high-voltage-dc-contactor-relays/dcnlev100.aspx
- HITTIO https://www.hiitio.com/lp-high-voltage-dc-contactor-manufacturer-3/
High voltage Switch
High voltage Connector (High voltage Coaxial Connector, High voltage Feedthrough, High voltage Bushing)
High voltage connectors are specialized interconnects designed to safely transfer high voltage between devices or from an internal source to an external load, while maintaining sufficient creepage and clearance distances. Typically built using ceramic or molded resin bushings, some models are suited for vacuum operation. They serve as essential interface components in X-ray systems and high-voltage power supplies where reliable external connection is required.
- Teledyne Reynolds https://www.teledynedefenseelectronics.com/reynolds/prod/Pages/High%20Voltage%20Connectors%20&%20Assemblies.aspx
- Teledyne Reynolds https://www.teledynedefenseelectronics.com/reynolds/prod/Pages/High%20Voltage%20Hermetic%20Connectors.aspx
- CATON https://caton.com/markets/high-voltage-connector/
- Connectronics Corp https://catalog.connectronicscorp.com/category/high-voltage-connectors
- SCHLEICH https://www.schleich.com/en/product/high-voltage-connectors-en/
- Genvolt https://www.genvolt.com/product-category/high-voltage-connectors/
High voltage Cable (HV-Cable, High voltage wire, High voltage power cord)
High voltage cables are shielded cables used to transmit high-voltage energy over a distance or between devices. They feature a central conductor surrounded by multiple insulation layers and shielding to suppress partial discharge and leakage. X-ray cables in particular are engineered to provide both high flexibility and voltage endurance, ensuring stable performance even in moving parts. Often supplied as integrated cable assemblies with connectors, these cables play a key role in the overall reliability of high-voltage systems.
- Essex X-Ray & Medical Equipment https://www.essexxray.com/high-voltage-cable-shielded-unshielded-core/
- Varex Imaging https://www.vareximaging.com/products/medical/connect-control/hv-cables/
- Dielectric Sciences https://catalog.dielectricsciences.com/category/x-ray-cables-assemblies
- HVP High Voltage Products GmbH https://www.hvproducts.de/cables_and_assemblies
- SCHLEICH https://www.schleich.com/en/product/high-voltage-cables-en/
- Teledyne Reynolds https://www.teledynedefenseelectronics.com/reynolds/prod/High%20Voltage%20Wire/Pages/High-Voltage-Wire-and-Cable.aspx
Insulating Oil (Transformer Oil)
Insulating oils serve a dual role as a dielectric medium and a cooling agent within high-voltage equipment. Used in transformers and oil-filled HV components, these oils are available in mineral-based or synthetic formulations, the latter offering superior thermal stability and environmental performance. They exhibit high dielectric breakdown strength and good thermal conductivity, thus effectively suppressing internal temperature rise. Since moisture and gas contamination can severely degrade their insulating properties, careful handling and maintenance are required. Historically, some insulating oils contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were later found to cause serious health and environmental problems. Today, only non-PCB insulating oils are in use.
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- Shell - Diala Transformer Oils https://www.shell.com/business-customers/lubricants-for-business/products/shell-diala-electrical-oils.html
- ExxonMobil - Univolt (Electrical Insulating Oil) https://www.mobil.com/en-co/industrial/pds/gl-xx-univolt-n-61-b
- NYNAS - Transformer oils https://www.nynas.com/en/products/transformer-oils/products/
- Cargill - FR3 natural ester dielectric fluid https://www.cargill.com/bioindustrial/dielectric-fluids/fr3-fluid
- 3M Heat Transfer Fluids https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/c/electronics-components/specialty-fluids/heat-transfer-fluids/
- ENEOS - HS TRANS N https://www.eneos.co.jp/english/products/lubricants/industrial.html
- Idemitsu - electrical insulation oil, transformer oil https://www.idemitsu.com/en/business/lube/index.html
- COSMO OIL LUBRICANTS - Electric insulation oil https://www.cosmo-lube.co.jp/eng/product/