Quenching of multisection superconducting magnets and internal and external shunt resistors

Self-protection of superconducting magnets by subdivision using internal and external shunt resistors was investigated. Temperature rise at various points of the winding was measured by means of thermocouples soldered to the conductor. The velocity of the normal-zone propagation along radial and axial directions was obtained. Initial current was varied from 0.3 to 0.9I_q=1000 A. The effectiveness of protection by subdivision with external shunts depended on the number and dimensions of sections. It increased with decreasing single section size. When placed in the magnet, shunts work as a heater and diminish the quenching time and maximum winding temperature