~0915 - 0930 hrs. local 

The HAM6 turbo and its scroll backing pump were accidentally de-energized this morning resulting in the maglev turbo "crashing" onto its emergency bearings -> Chris M. was cleaning the floor near where the pumps were plugged in and accidentally tugged/shifted the shared power cord causing it to lose electrical connection -> I was in the LVEA at the time and heard the "characteristic" sound of the non-levitated turbo spinning down from 48,000 rpm on its unlubricated bearings (not unlike a steel garbage can full of rocks rolling down a steep hill) -> I was able to isolate HAM6 while the rotor was still spinning -> Both of the in-series foreline safety valves worked as intended and the scroll pump was isolated upon the loss of AC -> I was able to restart the pumps without difficulty and was able to resume pumping after ~15 total down time -> HAM6's pressure was perturbed with the loss of pumping and saw a pressure rise from 1 x 10-6 torr to 6.5 x 10-6 torr while the pump was isolated  

This is the second "crash" of this turbo due to loss of power.  This first happened years ago and was also the result of a "wiggled" power cord.  Back then the power cord to the pump cart was removable via an unreliable 1/4-turn twist lock connector.  As a result of this first crash the twist lock connector was abandoned in favor of permanently terminating the cord internal to the cart's control box.  

Note to others:  

Are energized PZTs in HAM6 vulnerable to rough vacuum?  If so, are there protection systems?