This report describes the design of a plasma generator and models for simulation of its operation for use in experimental research on electrothermal initiation (ETI). The physical design of the plasma generator is shown in some detail. A model of electrically exploded wires and a onedimensional model of the flow in an axial, capillary plasma generator are presented. An implementation of the wire model in Matlab-Simulink-SimPowerSystems is given. A numerical method for the solution of the flow equations is shown and verified for a standard problem.