Effect of mechanical agitation on fuse opening switch efficiency

It is demonstrated that an exploding wire fuse opening switch comprising aluminum wire in water can be made more efficient by mechanically agitating the wire while it is being exploded. The electrical current flowing through the wire collapses faster, generating a higher voltage output when the arrival time of the agitating source at the wire material is well selected. The agitation appears to facilitate the dispersion of the molten metal within the water tamper so that the electrical energy input necessary to open the switch is reduced.