Electrical design analysis and breakdown voltage test aspects of indigenously developed electrical breaks at cryo temperatures

Electrical insulation breaks are very critical component of large-scale fusion devices employing superconducting magnets and are used to insulate electrically the coil and the cryogenic supply line (kept at ground potential). The electrical insulation of breaks consists of the composites insulations, G-10 GFRP (Glass fiber reinforced plastic), cryogenic compatible epoxy and S-glass boron free fiber in air and helium environment under vacuum. To optimize the design parameters, the detailed electrical analysis have been carried out using the electrostatic solid axi-symmetric model by COMSOL 4.1 multiphysics software for electrodes separation, electrical field strength as well as flashover phenomenon between two electrodes with composite insulator material have been analyzed at different surfaces and contours along with by varying gaps between SS electrodes. We have carried out the high voltage breakdown test (0–35) kV, insulation resistance measurement at 0–5 kV test voltage in Paschen condition of (10 3 –10 −5 ) mbar in helium gas and air environment at 300 K and 77 K experimentally on in-house developed insulation breaks.