Design and qualification of a ceramic insulating break for ITER In-Vessel Coils

The ITER In-Vessel Coils (IVC) are water-cooled coils, composed by a mineral-insulated copper conductor, enclosed in a stainless-steel jacket. The system is installed inside the ITER Vacuum Vessel, and it is fed by high-voltage feedthroughs that provide electrical power and cooling water to the copper conductors. Each coil is cooled individually and has dedicated inlet/outlet stainless-steel pipes in the ex-vessel area. To electrically separate the IVC from the ITER cooling water system, an electrical insulating break is needed. The IVC Insulating Break (IB) is operated in a radiation environment and at temperatures up to 240 °C. It shall provide electrical insulation up to 2.4 kV and shall withstand cooling water pressure up to 44 bar as well as mechanical and thermal loads related to the ITER IVC operations.