A new class of AC superconducting conductors

Author

Verhaege, T. ; Estop, P. ; Weber, W. ; Lacaze, A. ; Laumond, Y. ; Bonnet, P. ; Ansart, A.

Author_Institution

Alcatel Alsthom Recherche, Marcoussis, France

Volume

3

Issue

1

fYear

1993

fDate

3/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

164

Lastpage

167

Abstract

Superconducting wires for 50-60-Hz applications must have very small diameters to obtain intrinsic stability and low AC losses. Concepts for the latest GEC ALSTHOM conductors that give them particular quench properties, leading to self-protection against burning or breakdown, are presented. C-type wires are industrial products with a typical diameter of 0.5 mm, presenting intrinsic performance similar to those of classically optimized wires of 0.2-mm diameter. C-type wires can be used as basic elements of larger assembled conductors. Many configurations are possible. As a first step, cables of six C-wires around one resistive insulated central wire have been realized and tested. The central wire is defined to permit rapid quench detection and a rapid phenomenon of mass quench. The mass quench transforms any possible local quench into a complete quench of the coil, after some delay which is also exploited for passive protection. Experimental results are presented.<>

Keywords

composite superconductors; losses; superconducting cables; 50 to 60 Hz; AC superconducting conductors; C-type wires; GEC ALSTHOM conductors; breakdown; burning; cables; compacted wire; mass quench; quench properties; rapid quench detection; self-protection; Assembly; Cable insulation; Coils; Conductors; Delay; Electric breakdown; Protection; Stability; Superconducting filaments and wires; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.233696

Filename

233696