Re: Kicker test - URGENT action required ?

[Gary Wait <wait@triumf.ca>]

Peter Winter wrote:

> 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
>
Peter
I completely agree with Mikes analysis.

It appears that the fiber optic cable to DN-13 was not quite plugged in 
all the way.

To determine whether the plug is breaking down or the socket is breaking 
down. Here is a simple test  to try:
interchange the plugs between HV1 and HV2 and see if the problem stays 
in HV1 or changes to HV2.
If the problem switches to the other cabinet then you know it is the plug.

Gary