The purpose of this paper is to assess the expected response of conventional and non-conventional quench detection sensors proposed for the ITER coils, and to be tested in the QUELL experiment in SULTAN. The assessment is based on simulation of thermohydraulic transients in the ITER coils for various operating conditions, and a tentative definition of the transfer functions of each sensor concept. It is shown that, for the investigated conditions, the co-wound voltage taps are more accurate than hydraulic systems and conventional voltage balance methods. The additional complication associated with the insertion of taps in the conductor is well offset by the low sensitivity to external disturbances.