Electrical breakdown strength results from the EU testing program for potential ITER insulation

Insulation systems will be a key element in the future construction and impregnation of the coils for the ITER device. Electrical barrier layers have been specified to improve the electrical reliability, and this program includes ceramic plasma sprayed coatings, Kapton, Nomex and Mica in conjunction with various Epoxy resins. The electrical breakdown strengths in liquid nitrogen of twenty-two different insulation systems are reported. The final results of this program are presented and compared with the results from a benchmark testing program (insulation system based on anhydride cured DGEBA resin and S2 glass)