The Replacement of the ISIS White-Circuit Choke

The ISIS accelerator is based on an 800 MeV synchrotron arranged as a White-Circuit [1]. Key to its operation is a large storage choke with ten main, and ten auxiliary windings. The main windings resonate with the associated capacitor banks at 50 Hz and also provide a path for a DC bias current past the capacitors. The auxiliary windings provide for the AC excitation of the magnet circuit. Known as the “NINA” choke from its previous service on the NINA synchrotron at Daresbury Laboratory, it was built in 1963. The windings are built into a single frame and are therefore closely coupled by the magnetic circuit. In the event of a failure on any winding, the choke would have to be dismantled to replace the damaged parts. As it weighs about 90 tons without its cooling oil this would be a major task even if sufficient spare parts were available.