I have to measure current pulse from a surge generator which produce 5000A current. I am using a Pearson current probe (10:1) which will reduce the current to 500V. Between the current probe and my oscilloscope (max 5V with 50ohm), I am using 2 x 20 dB fixed attenuators to reduce the current to 5V. My question is can the attenuator stand the 500V if their power rating is 2W?
What is maximum voltage for a 20db attenuator with 2W power rating?

 

Welcome to AAC!
What does the attenuator's datasheet say regarding voltage?
What is the attenuator's resistance?

 

What is the time duration of the surge current?

 

Welcome to AAC!
What does the attenuator's datasheet say regarding voltage?
What is the attenuator's resistance?

Nothing on the voltage. Btw its a 50ohm RF attenuator

 

What is the time duration of the surge current?

It is a 8/20 us surge current

 

Btw its a 50ohm RF attenuator

Then the maximum continuous voltage would be √(50Ω*2W) = 10V.

It is a 8/20 us surge current

How often does this occur?

 

Then the maximum continuous voltage would be √(50Ω*2W) = 10V.
How often does this occur?

The 10V is the Vrms right? So the Vpeak is 10V/0.7071 = 14V. So the attenuator can not stand the 500V. Is there any recommendation?
I have to measure for about 20 pulses.

 

You didn't answer my question about the frequency of the pulses, so I can't answer yours.

 

You didn't answer my question about the frequency of the pulses, so I can't answer yours.

Its in 10s interval between each pulse

 

Is the current probe that you are using the one in this link ?

Les

 

Its in 10s interval between each pulse

So it's an 8/20μs surge pulse with only 10ns between pulses?
That seems odd.

 

Also, even if the attenuator could magically in the longterm survive the huge peak power dissipation, the resistors might exceed their voltage rating and you could have arcing across the resistors, delivering dangerous voltage to your measuring setup.