In the frame of the LHC-consolidation project, 104 radiation tolerant converters have been produced to replace the old LHC600A-10V power sources located in the irradiated areas RR1x, RR5x and RR7x. The new radiation tolerant design will solve know electrical issues (zero current crossing point) and will improve the accelerator availability thanks to a redundant design.

R2E.LHC600A-10V power converter and its power modules

The radiation tolerant design was successfully validate at CERN CHARM facility, were a test was performed in order to apply to the converter in five days the equivalent radiation levels that will be absorbed in 20 operation years under LHC conditions.

CERN CHARM test facility and radiation tolerant converter test conditions

In the year 2019 a contract was created to produce 149 power converter units in an external company. The electrical functions of the power converter were validated by EPC group and the converters were stored in the new FLEX building.

R2E-LHC600A-10V power converters under production in Wiener factory.

Today the 104 converters units are installed and under commissioning in the LHC particle accelerator, waiting to supply the superconductive magnets in the future RUN3!

R2E-LHC600A-10V power converters stored in FLEX building. (video)

Reporting from Vicente Raul Herrero Gonzalez