<p>High pressure surface discharge switches have become the subject of applied research in recent years due to their important application in pulse power systems. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the subject so that an optimum design of the switch may be achieved. The surface discharge phenomena is examined under single channel static breakdown condition to attempt to isolate individual processes involved. The multichannel switch developed by the NRC is tested with a resistive load assembly to determine the optimum operating conditions. The lifetime characteristic is also studied using a small experimental device. Finally, two models for the switch are developed to fit the observed data. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)