Re: Kicker test - URGENT action required ?

[Peter Winter <peter.winter@psi.ch>]

Dear all,

while Mike was sending us his last email, I was already inside the area 
to do the next tests. First I checked the optic fibre on card DN-13. For 
that I,
1) I disconnected the fisher plug, cleaned it carefully with alcohol and 
also its counter part as much as possible. Then I taped it in a safe 
position
2) I exchanged the optic fibres DN-13 and DN-12
3) I ran with DC high TTL signal ramping up HV1 to ~3.4kV. ALL red LEDs 
on the lower stack in HV1 were on.
4) I exchanged the optic fibres again to the normal status and it worked 
as well
5) I changed to kicking mode (5mus @ 1kHz) and ramped HV1 and all 34 red 
LEDs were visible at around 6-7kV.
It seems that the problem with the card is gone.

Then I tried to run the kicker in DC with the cleaned fisher plug. While 
cleaning I was looking at it carefully but could not see any carbonized 
parts or black parts etc. I was also removing the white part of the 
insulation tube on the plug and cleaned the whole metal pin which makes 
the connection. The counter part connected to the plate was difficult to 
clean since it's inside and partly hidden by the metal side walls. After 
reinserting the plug, the current increased immediately when raising the 
HV on HV1.

Due to Mikes last email I now turned off the HV on both cabinets since 
if I understood correct he's afraid that other parts might break down, too.

So the question rises: When are we going to open the kicker to inspect 
it? I think we'll have a discussion here internally but proposals from 
all of you are welcome. For now I will go back to mu+ lower rate without 
kicker.
Peter