AbstractThe operation of poloidal field coils at the plasma initiation in the ITER is optimized considering the effect of eddy currents. The eddy currents induced in the in-vessel components are analyzed using the finite element method. It is shown that the plasma initiation of the ITER, VLOOP = 18 V and IP = 0.5 MA s −1, is obtained by considering the influence of the eddy currents induced by the flux supply and the plasma current ramp-up. The evolution of the plasma configuration up to the plasma current IP = 0.5 MA is obtained by the dynamical simulation.