2000 MCM electrical power jumper cable with controlled flexibility: design and life cycle test

The ZTH reverse field pinch (RFP) plasma-confinement experiment will use magnet coils to provide ohmic heating currents in the plasma. The ohmic heating coils are supported by a structure that will allow them limited movement with respect to surrounding hardware and the connecting electrical buswork. To minimize displacement-induced stresses in the coils, flexible power-conducting links are necessary to accommodate the relative motion between the buswork and the coils. A semiflexible 2000-MCM jumper cable has been designed with enough flexibility to allow free movement of the coils, yet it is stiff enough to withstand large magnetically induced lateral loads and minimize the effect of the lateral loads on the magnet coil leads. A full-power life-cycle test of the jumper was performed under magnetic, thermal, and dynamic loads that closely simulate the expected operating conditions. The test evaluated the structural and electrical integrity of the jumper as well as the quality and reliability of the bolted electrical connections at the jumper ends in a high-stress, cyclic-loading environment. The jumper-cable design is presented with an explanation of the requirement for a semiflexible link. The life-cycle test and test results are described, along with the test apparatus and setup.<>