So why not just have a special mode for the interlock code during pumpdown and venting, and during normal operation we expect the main volume pressure to be <100uTorr so the interlock trips if this condition is violated? These can just be EPICS buttons on the Vac control MEDM screen. Both of these procedures are not "business as usual", and even if we script them in the future, it's likely to have some operator supervising, so I don't think it's unreasonable to have to switch between these modes. I just think the pressure gauges have demonstrated themselves to be much more reliable than these TP serial readbacks (as you say, they worked once upon a time, but that is already evidence of its flakiness?). The Pirani gauges are not ultra-reliable, they have failed in the past, but at least less frequently than this serial comm glitching. In fact, if these readbacks are so flaky, it's not impossible that they don't signal a TP shutdown? I just think the real power of having these multi-channel diagnostics is lost without some AND logic - a turbopump failure is likely to result in an increase in pump current and temperature increase and pump speed decrease, so it's not the individual channel values that should be determining if an interlock is tripped.

I definitely think that protecting the vacuum envelope is a priority - but I don't think it should be at the expense of commissioning time. But if you think these extra interlocks are essential to the safety of the vacuum system, I withdraw my request.

It would be better to have a flag channel, might be useful for the summary pages too. I will make it if it is too much trouble.