Electromagnetic pulse welding (EMPW) is a key application of pulsed power technology in materials processing, where triggered vacuum switch (TVS) is frequently employed as discharge switch. Based on the specific behavior of the EMPW process, this paper presents a detailed investigation into the operational characteristics of a new domestically produced TVS, named ZKTC. The study focuses on the switch's behavior during the triggering, conducting, and initial discharging stages. The effects of circuit parameters on ZKTC’s operation were analyzed through simulations. A trigger device combining a Marx circuit and a pulse transformer was developed, featuring adjustable pulse widths (0–10 μs) and adjustable voltage amplitudes (0–20 kV). Based on ZKTC, a high-current pulsed generator testing platform with a discharge energy of 27 kJ was constructed to perform experimental analyses. The results indicate that the voltage amplitude and rising edge of the trigger signal significantly influence the ZKTC triggering process. While the working voltage amplitude of the main discharge circuit impacting the directional migration rate of charged particles and the discharge current during the conducting stage, modifying the parameters of the switch discharge circuit and accelerating the voltage drop rate. This, in turn, has a significant effect on both the conducting and discharging stages.