Quench development in magnets made with multifilamentary NbTi cable

An experimental study of the normal zone propagation and total resistance as a function of time is described. The normal zone propagation velocity in a single strand was measured as a function of both current and magnetic field with particular interest in the neighborhood of the short sample limit. The study proceeded from measurements in single multifilamentary strands to measurements in 23 strand cables under different cooling environments to finally measurements in actual ramping dipole magnets made with this cable. Interpretation of the results led to the determination of safety limits for the Energy Doubler/Saver magnets and to safeguards implemented by an energy dumping circuit which effectively protects these magnets from self-destruction.