In the frames of designing the SSTF (Samsung Superconductor Test Facility)
for the KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research), the 50 kA
transformer charging a CICC (cable-in-conduit conductor) short sample for o
ne second is now under design. The primary winding conductor consists of si
x NbTi and six stainless steel strands cabled around a low RRR rectangular
copper core, which was used by Kurchatov Institute in small SMES (supercond
ucting magnetic energy storage) windings. The secondary winding consists of
24 subcables wrapped around and soldered to a low RRR copper strip. Each s
ubcable consists of six NbTi strands cabled around a copper strand. The str
ands for primary and secondary windings are 0.85 mm diameter NbTi wires wit
h six micrometer 8910 filaments. Both primary and secondary conductors have
large current and temperature margins to ensure a reliable operation of th
e superconducting transformer. The primary coil is placed in a cylindrical
LHe vessel. The four secondary turns are glued to the outer surface of the
LHe vessel The joints between the transformer and the sample are described.