I am aiming to add a spark initiator to my electric discharge machining (EDM) circuit, but I am unsure of how combine the high voltage (>1-10 kV) initiator and the existing lower-voltage, higher-current (30 V, 4 A, 1 kHz) pulse train.
Both need to be connected across the spark gap, but I fear the high voltage of the spark initiator will damage the components of the 30 V circuit.
Usually I might use a diode for protection, but at these high voltages it seems tricky to find the right approach.
I also am weary of shunting approaches because those might kill the voltage spike at the gap, although it would protect my circuit.
What makes it harder is that I can't easily measure the duration of the actual spark initiator pulse (and therefore the power) with my scope due to the HV so I don't know if typical ESD components would work for example.
I feel like there may be a well known approach to this kind of problem I just don't know about.
Any thoughts appreciated.
