Electromagnetic Quench Detection in ITER Superconducting Magnet Systems

The design of the ITER primary quench detection system is nearly completion, and the baseline is presented in this article. The paper describes the primary quench detection devices that will protect the magnets against the quench in the cable-in-conduits conductors of the coils. The CS will be protected by one system based on co-wound tapes, and another making use of voltage taps only, complemented by a real-time calculation of the inductive noise called MIK. The TF will be protected by a set of co-wound tapes, plus a second stage of compensation performed numerically. A classical balance-bridge using part of the voltage taps of the first system will also be used. The two other systems, PF and CC will be protected by balance bridges. In the PF, the symmetrical configuration of the two-in-hands winding style will be used. In the CC, the compensation will be done using double-pancakes of the same coil. These electromagnetic quench detection systems have been designed to allow progressive improvements, and adjustments required by potential deviation from simulation to actual plasma operation.