Speaker
Description
More than a decade after its deployment, CERN's Accelerator Fault Tracking (AFT) system has become the primary reference for availability data across the CERN accelerator complex. Its success relies on close collaboration between Accelerator Operators (OP), Equipment Groups, and the Reliability and Availability Working Group (RAWG).
Extending AFT from the LHC to the full Injector Complex and Experimental Areas introduced new challenges. In fast-cycling machines, many faults are too brief for reliable manual recording, requiring automated correlation of interlock signals and operational logs with fault records. The solution developed at CERN is presented as a model for facilities facing similar operational constraints.
Also, maintaining data quality over the long term requires continuous attention. This contribution describes the regular review of system categories and expert notification groups, together with a structured user feedback process that has enabled iterative improvements and sustained community engagement.
AFT data underpin operational reporting at multiple levels, including weekly fault review meetings, high-level committees, and annual workshops. They also support consolidation decisions by providing the operational history needed to prioritize hardware renewal.
Finally, the CERN RAWG derives equipment failure and demand rates from the AFT dataset to support availability modeling for future accelerators. The ongoing FCC availability study illustrates how a high-quality fault history accumulated over years of operation becomes a key input to next-generation machine design.