Spark gap arrangement with ignition apparatus for protecting a high-voltage device and ignition apparatus therefor

A spark gap configuration, comprising:

• a first electrode;
• a second electrode;
• a third electrode;
• a first spark gap disposed between said first and second electrodes and a second spark gap disposed between said second and third electrodes are in each case smaller than a third spark gap disposed between said first and third electrodes;
• and
• an ignition apparatus, containing:
• at least a first ignition capacitor and a second ignition capacitor for voltage division of a voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode;
• a first trigger spark gap disposed in a first parallel branch with respect to said first ignition capacitor;
• a second trigger spark gap disposed in a second parallel branch with respect to said second ignition capacitor and having an ignition electrode;
• and
• a first ignition resistor disposed in said first parallel branch, wherein a first potential point between said first ignition resistor and said first trigger spark gap is connected to said ignition electrode of said second trigger spark gap.

A method for igniting a spark gap configuration, by means of an ignition apparatus, the ignition apparatus containing:

• at least a first ignition capacitor and a second ignition capacitor for voltage division of a voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode of the spark gap configuration;
• a first trigger spark gap disposed in a first parallel branch with respect to said first ignition capacitor;
• a second trigger spark gap disposed in a second parallel branch with respect to said second ignition capacitor and having an ignition electrode;
• and
• a first ignition resistor disposed in said first parallel branch, wherein a first potential point between said first ignition resistor and said first trigger spark gap is connected to said ignition electrode of said second trigger spark gap;
• the method comprises the step of:
• effecting an ignition of the second trigger spark gap without ignition coils by means of a voltage present at the first ignition resistor.