Charging operations of a compact Tesla transformer were experimentally investigated, in single-shot and rep-rate (50pps for 1s) modes, respectively. The charging limitations were also explored. The experimental results were compared and analyzed. The maximum secondary charging voltages of the Tesla transformer were measured to be 380kV and 300kV in single-shot and rep-rate modes, respectively. The RMS pulse-to-pulse instability of the secondary charging voltage is generally less than 10% but increases with the increasing initial voltage across the primary capacitor. Since the secondary capacitor of the Tesla transformer is a pulse forming line (PFL), continued operation is possible if there is breakdown in the PFL. Furthermore, operation can even be continued under occasional breakdown for some pulses, without the effects on the operations of subsequent pulses.
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