This thesis describes the work completed to create long distance directional discharge using the exploding wire technique.

A historical literature review gives the previous works completed on exploding wires dating back to 1780. The review also gives the current understanding of the exploding wire phenomena.

The design and construction of a test set to create long distance exploding wires is outlined. A capacitor bank, high voltage switch, charging circuit, hand earths design and construction methods are given.

The measurement of the impulse and charging voltage and current is explored and solutions found. Design and construction of a Rogowski Coil and associated circuitry is outlined. Development of software made for reconstruction of Rogowski signals is outlined.

Results of testing of different wire explosions is given. It is found that if the charge voltage of the capacitors is to high the wire explodes to fast to remove all charge from the capacitors. If the charge is too low the wire may not have enough energy to explode. Conditions for maximum energy discharged by a plasma shrouded exploding wire are found for varying wire diameters and lengths up to 10m.