Abstract: A transient pulse generator, for generating high energy RF pulses for lightning testing electronic equipment, generates control pulses. An insulated gate bipolar junction transistor (IGBT) is coupled to the conducts in response to the control pulses. A first capacitor is coupled to an electrode of the IGBT and to a first voltage potential. A transformer has its primary coupled between the first capacitor and a second electrode of the IGBT such that when the IGBT is not conducting the first capacitor is charged to a difference between the first and second voltage potentials. When the IGBT is switched into conduction mode the first capacitor discharges across the primary of the transformer, resulting in generation of a pulse across the secondary of the transformer. A second capacitor is coupled between a third voltage potential and an injection core which provides magnetic coupling to the equipment to be tested. The second capacitor charges to substantially the third voltage potential between control pulses.