Single-phase resistive superconductor electrical current limiter

Abstract

This paper presents the analysis, design, construction and ac test results of low voltage single-phase resistive superconductor electrical current limiters. Two different types of resistive superconductor current limiter are presented: the first one is built with three concentric, cylindrical and helicoidal coils connected in parallel and the second one is built with two superposed cylindrical helicoidal coils connected in series and in opposite magnetic polarities. Both are built using the GEC Alstom CuNi matrix superconductor type C wire for ac applications, wound on G-10 tubes and the final assembly is mechanically arranged and immersed in a cryostat filled with liquid helium at 4K. The superconductor material in this wire is the NbTi alloy.