Commissioning and operation of 130 kV/130 A switched-mode HV power supplies with the upgraded JET neutral beam injectors

Abstract

The design features, on-site testing, commissioning and operation are described of two new 130 kV/130 A HV power supply units serving four upgraded 130 kV/60 A positive ion neutral injectors (PINIs) on JET. Both units were factory tested at full power and pulse length into dummy resistive load. Following on-site installation, the factory tests were repeated. The transition from dummy-load testing to PINI operation required full integration of the HVPS within the overall JET control system, and rigorous testing of the co-ordinated actions and protections of all PINI power supplies (filament and arc for plasma source and negative suppression grid). The implementation of these functions is described. Extensive use was made of parasitic integrated test pulses, where the other PINIs could be operated normally, with the HVPS energised under full remote control together with the corresponding PINI plasma sources, but with the HVPS connected to dummy load. The amount of NB operation time dedicated to commissioning was thereby minimised, yet gave a high degree of confidence of readiness for HV energisation of the PINI, and first beam operation followed less than 24 h from HV connection to the PINI. The routine operating experience and performance, including load protection characteristics of the new HVPS units are also described.