The ITER coils are all designed using superconducting conductors with a high current carrying capability. Plasma operation and control requires fast variation of the currents in the pulsed coils inducing more than 10 kV during normal operation on the coil terminals. The power supplies are designed to limit the high voltages, but under short conditions, voltages may rise above 20 kV in certain coils. Moreover, the acceptance tests of the coils must be carried out at higher voltages, up to 28 kV for the CS coils. The electrical design philosophy of the coils includes recovery options in the event of electrical faults internal to the coils.
Mechanical by-pass switches rated for a continuous current of 60 kA and provided with some arc commutation capability are required in the ITER discharging networks to be connected in parallel to the main vacuum circuit breakers. The development work was carried out on a suitable industrial switch and was aimed at increasing substantially its voltage rating and at improving its speed of operation. A fully rated commutating unit was built and subjected to an extensive test program aimed at its full characterisation.
This paper focuses on the recent modifications of the Coil Power Supply and Distribution System (CPSDS) to adapt it to the revised magnet configuration and plasma scenarios. Updated performance of the main components (AC/DC converters, switching networks and discharge circuits) are presented. The layout of the equipment is described with emphasis on the revision made to meet the new seismic requirements and to reduce the cost of busbars
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