With the proliferation of laser and inert-gas flash lamps, high voltage trigger/pulse transformers are becoming more and more popular.  In these applications the trigger transformer is utilized to pulse a short duration high voltage “trigger” to initiate the start-up of the laser/flash lamp.  The extreme high voltage ionizes the gas in the tube which becomes conductive.  Once the gas within the flash lamp between the anode and cathode becomes conductive, the initial resistance drops.  What happens after the trigger depends on how the designer configures the circuit driving the flash lamp.  Usually, the circuit runs in one of three modes, external, pseudo-series, or series mode.  In non-series modes the trigger transformer is no longer required to power the flash lamp.  All the current flowing to the lamp bypasses the transformer and is supplied directly to the lamp.  This allows these types of trigger transformers to be smaller in size and more cost effective.  However, the series trigger transformer has better timing accuracy. 

Often times the larger size of the series trigger transformer is acceptable because timing accuracy for certain applications is critical.  More portable circuitry uses a capacitor that is charged and then allowed to discharge through the primary of the trigger transformer.  This creates a high voltage pulse (or trigger) on the secondary winding.  The secondary pulse is then fed to whatever load is attached.  Most of our trigger designs run at a higher frequency and require the use of low loss cores such as ferrites. 

Custom Coils also uses flying leads and high dielectric epoxies to encapsulate and isolate the high voltage associated with these type transformers.  In all cases, Custom Coils can design and manufacturer pulse and trigger transformers to meet the requirements of your circuit.