Preparatory Work to Host the EDIPO Test Facility at CRPP.

CRPP has been selected to host the EDIPO test facility for the quality control tests of the ITER conductors. The new facility will be erected next to the existing SULTAN test facility at CRPP (Villigen) in Switzerland and will share the same cryo-plant. Operation of the two facilities is planned in parallel starting 2009. The new facility is designed to test short length samples built to the same specification as for SULTAN. EFDA procures 17 tons superconducting winding under industrial contract that will be delivered to CRPP in late 2008. The preparatory work at CRPP includes the design and procurement of several items as well as the final assembly and commissioning of the facility. An overview and the progress are reported, with focus on the main components: the vacuum vessel, the superconducting transformer and sample holder unit, the cryogenic cooling loop, the power supply and quench protection system, the HTS current leads and the magnetic screen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]