Abstract: A capacitor exploding foil initiator device having a capacitor connected in parallel to a bleed resistor. The capacitor and resistor are connected across an exploding foil initiator by an over-voltage gap switch. When a voltage of the capacitor reaches a breakdown voltage of the switch, the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged through the switch to the exploding foil initiator.

Abstract: A perforating gun using an electrical safe arm device and a capacitor exploding foil initiator device. The capacitor exploding foil initiator device having a capacitor connected in parallel to a bleed resistor which are connected across an exploding foil initiator by an over-voltage gap switch. When a voltage of the capacitor reaches a breakdown voltage of the switch, the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged through the switch to the exploding foil initiator which initiates a detonator cord thereby detonating the shaped charges of the perforating gun.

Abstract: An integrated safety discharge module for providing a high voltage high current pulse to a load includes a capacitor and a bleed resistor, The capacitor is connected to the bleed resistor by such means as to form a structure which ensures that failure of either the capacitor or the bleed resistor will preclude charging of the capacitor and/or the delivery of energy to the load, The unit may also include a circuit for providing visual indication of a threshold charge on the capacitor.