High voltage current and voltage sources

James Rollins · 2009-04-12T07:24:56+00:00

How difficult is it to make a compact transformerless high voltagecurrent and voltage source? Is it possible to adapt the currenttopology with properly rated components and achieve this affect ormodify existing low voltage techniques with such components?For example, suppose I want a current source of around 1mA with a1000V compliance. Could I adapt an LM317(or variant) to drive acapable BJT for such loads?Shows many basic topologies for current sources and it is my beliefthat ideally they all work for any voltage and current. Is thiscorrect? Is my problem dealing simply with component capabilities andisolation issues?Similarly, for switched mode topologies such as a buck-boost if I wereto use capable components(high voltage ratings) and diligently dealwith isolation issues could I expect to have success?Potentially my issues lay with finding the properly rated componentsor finding exotic methods to modify existing components for suchcapabilities?Alternatively, are there any high voltage IC voltage and currentsources?James