The Quench Protection System for the LHC String Programme: lessons and outlook

by Reiner DENZ (AT Division)

Thursday 17 Apr 2003, 14:15 → 15:15 Europe/Zurich

AT Auditorium (CERN)

Since the commissioning of String 1 in 1994, the LHC String programme has allowed many teams to test and validate their systems under operating conditions. For String 2, systems close to the final configuration in the LHC machine tunnel and underground areas were tested. As an example, the Quench Protection System (QPS) has profited enormously from the experience gained during commissioning and from the experimental programme, especially devoted to quench tests. A large variety of designs of the QPS equipment have been validated. The tests of the interface to interlocks, powering and controls were highly valuable when facing the LHC challenge. In the LHC, the QPS will be the only system monitoring and protecting the superconducting elements. The integrity of superconducting magnets, bus bars and high-Tc superconducting current leads will depend on its reliable operation. A description of the system installed in String 2 will be given addressing similarities and differences with respect to the equipment planned for installation in LHC. The key experimental results will be presented. Finally, a brief outlook towards commissioning and the operation of the QPS in LHC will be given.