Full Cryogenic Test of 600 A HTS Hybrid Current Leads for the LHC

For full cryogenic test of CERN 600 A high temperature superconducting (HTS) current leads prior to integration into the Large Hardron collider (LHC), a dedicated facility has been designed, constructed and operated at the University of Southampton. The facility consists of purpose-built test cryostats, 20 K helium gas supply, helium gas flow and temperature control systems and quench protection system. Over 400 such leads have already been successfully tested and qualified for installation at CERN. This paper describes various design and operation aspects of the test facility and presents the detailed cryogenic test results of the CERN 600 A current leads, including steady state 20 K flow rates.