Subscribe options

Select your newsletters:

Please enter your email address:

@

Your email address will only be used for the purpose of sending you the ITER Organization publication(s) that you have requested. ITER Organization will not transfer your email address or other personal data to any other party or use it for commercial purposes.

If you change your mind, you can easily unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe option at the bottom of an email you've received from ITER Organization.

For more information, see our Privacy policy.

News & Media

Latest ITER Newsline

  • On site | 28 who "truly shined"

    The new ITER Star Awards recognize exemplary performance and commitment. Every year, during the annual assessment campaign, ITER staff may be recognized for exe [...]

    Read more

  • MT-28 Conference | Superconducting magnets as a catalyst

    Many passers-by paused for a moment and picked up their cell phones to capture the scene. It was indeed rare to see dancers on the square outside of the Pavillo [...]

    Read more

  • Fusion world | TCV tokamak turns 30

    The Swiss TCV tokamak (for Tokamak à Configuration Variable, or 'variable configuration' tokamak) has been exploring the physics of nuclear fusion for 30 years [...]

    Read more

  • Image of the week | Port cell with a view

    A visit to ITER would not be complete without a peek into the Tokamak pit where the machine is being progressively assembled. For several years, one of the equa [...]

    Read more

  • Visit | Chinese Minister reaffirms "full support"

    ITER Director-General Pietro Barabaschi and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) Wang Zhigang share a common academic background. They both tra [...]

    Read more

Of Interest

See archived entries

ITER NEWSLINE -

Electrical power

A cascade of transformations

Before it reaches the Tokamak's superconducting magnets, the electrical power from the 400 kV switchyard undergoes a cascade of transformations.

In July, the 130-tonne transformer (right) and the 4-metre-long busbar that connects it to the AC/DC converter were successfully tested at the Hyosung Factory in Changwon, Korea. The ''mushroom-like'' structures in the background belong to the high-tension testing equipment. (Click to view larger version...)
In July, the 130-tonne transformer (right) and the 4-metre-long busbar that connects it to the AC/DC converter were successfully tested at the Hyosung Factory in Changwon, Korea. The ''mushroom-like'' structures in the background belong to the high-tension testing equipment.
First, three very large pulsed power electrical network transformers—situated adjacent to the switchyard—bring the voltage down from 400 kV to 66 kV and 22 kV. This reduced voltage is then fed to the converter transformers inside of the twin Magnet Power Conversion buildings.

The converter transformers are each dedicated to a specific magnet system (central solenoid, toroidal field coils, poloidal field coils, correction coils). Their role is to bring down the voltage further—to approximately 1 kV. (The precise voltage is determined by the individual magnet system.)

All 44 converter transformers are paired with large "rectifiers" whose function is to convert the 1 kV AC current into direct current (DC), just like an "adapter" for laptops or cell phones transforms the 110 or 220 volts from the AC current into 9, 12, or 24 volts of DC current.

China is responsible for procuring the converter transformers and rectifiers for the poloidal field coils; Korea for all the other superconducting magnets; and Russia for the 5 km of busbars that connect the different components inside the Power Conversion Buildings. (Aluminium busbars in ITER can carry up to 7,000 times more current than a washing machine power cable.)

In July, the first of twelve transformers required for the central solenoid magnet system was successfully tested at the Hyosung Factory in Changwon, Korea, along with the set of high AC current busbars to connect it to the corresponding rectifier. Delivery to ITER can now be anticipated early next year.

Six of the central solenoid transformers will need to be in place by First Plasma, while six others will be installed at a later phase.

return to the latest published articles