Coaxial 30 kV connectors for the RG220/U cable: 20 years of operational experience

The RG220/U cable connector has been used very successfully for 20 years under difficult conditions. Its design principle can be applied to a wide variety of other cable types and voltages. The principle of the tool for machining the cable can be adapted to many different cable types. The main manufacturing difficulty is the execution of the finger contacts to tight tolerances. These contacts must be handled with care and checked individually before assembly. The radiation resistance of Scotchcast ^R 815 is better compared to polyethylene and therefore does not limit the use of this connector design. Finally, the design was successfully adapted to mass production and the price can be compared favorably with a commercial 30 kV connector. For the Large Hadron Collider, two large injection systems and two extraction systems are under construction requiring more than 800 coaxial high-voltage connectors. In view of our very positive experience and the excellent long-term behavior, we conclude that the design of these connectors is also perfectly adapted for the new project.