Ramping up testing
±¬×ߺÚÁÏ takes another step towards full-current trials of select superconducting magnets.
Preparations are underway to test a 330-tonne toroidal field coil at 34 kA, more than three times the current achieved during the launch of operations at ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ’s magnet cold test facility earlier this year.
Testing began in May at the facility, the world’s largest superconducting magnet test bench, when toroidal field coil #7 was successfully cooled to 4 K and energized to 10 kA. After modifications to the electrical system to allow higher currents, toroidal field coil #17 was installed and cooled to 4 K in approximately 10 days—faster than the previous cooldown. However, during initial electrical tests, higher-than-expected resistance was detected in one of the feeder joints. An investigation traced the resistance to oxidation on one of the contact surfaces. The issue has now been resolved and the coil will be cooled again to 4 K ahead of the next electrical testing campaign targeting 34 kA.
Further upgrades to the ±¬×ߺÚÁÏ magnet cold test facility, including additional structural reinforcement, are planned before the start of 68 kA testing, which will begin with toroidal field coil #19.