• V. Senaj, L. Ducimetière, E. Vossenberg
  CERN, Geneva

The vertical beam dump system of the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) uses two matched magnets with an impedance of 2 Ω and combined kick strength of 1.152 Tm at 60 kV supply voltage. For historical reasons the two magnets are powered from three 3 Ω pulse forming networks (PFN) through three thyratron-ignitron switches. Recently flashovers were observed at the entry of one of the magnets, which lead, because of the electrical coupling between the kickers, to a simultaneous breakdown of the pulse in both magnets. To improve the reliability an upgrade of the system was started. In a first step the radii of surfaces at the entry of the weak magnet were increased, and the PFN voltage was reduced by 4 %; the kick strength could be preserved by reducing the magnet termination resistance by 10 %. The PFNs were protected against negative voltage reflections and their last cells were optimised. In a second step the two magnets will be electrically separated and powered individually by new 2 Ω PFNs with semiconductor switches.