Abstract

Microcontroller MSP430 is used to control the SSR switches to supply a very high current. PC is interfaced to the supercomputer for computations. SSR and contactor switches are used to pass the current. Capacitor discharge system is also used to supply a very high current around 170- 200A. High current is passed to the sample specimen placed inside the heater which needs to be heated at a very high temperature. The current pulse is generated by the capacitor discharge system. Power supply for regular heater is suspended temporarily and capacitor is allowed to discharge using the Capacitor discharge heating. This is achieved by the instructions through the computer to the microcontroller. Current injection at the particular instant is done with the help of a software by initiating an interrupt from the computer. The interrupt pin of the microcontroller becomes high by this and the operation is initiated correspondingly. Thus the MSP430 receives the command to give the necessary pulse of current for heating at the required time. Feedback is received with regard to the position of the switches whether the particular SSR is ON or OFF. Injection of power depends on the corresponding switch positions by giving the necessary instructions by the computer.

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