[Boatanchors] RECTIFIERS

[Mr Magoo]

I recently had occasion to dismantle an HV power supply which, for lack of a better name, I will call "The Widow Maker".  It powered a 3-1000 linear at about 3900V and was DANGEROUSLY constructed.  Anyhow, the diode bridge was composed of a quad of K2AW 14KV units, all of which, in testing, show NO presence of a diode junction.  They are not shorted, they appear to be open.  The transformer and caps are both good.  I can't think of a situation which would cause all four to open up.  The linear did work for the owner (now in a nursing home) at one time.  My impression of K2AW products is that they are of good quality and not prone to failure when operating this far below their rated voltage.

Anyone care to comment on this?

Bill VE3NH