High-temperature superconducting magnet for use in saturated core FCL

A HTS magnet system used in a saturated core Fault Current Limiter (FCL) device is described. The superconducting magnet, operating in DC mode, is used in such FCL design for saturating the magnetic core and maintaining low device impedance under nominal conditions. The unique design of the FCL poses constrains on the DC HTS magnet. A model which meets all the necessary special requirements have been realized in a compact magnet design that is optimized for its electrical characteristics while minimizing its mass and volume. The coil, made of Bi-2223 tapes, has 50000 Ampere-turns required to maintain the core in a saturated state at nominal current in the limiting circuit. Unique, nonmagnetic cryostat made of Delrin was used. Cooling of the coil has been realized by two cold heads: one double-stage head that provides a cooling power of 6 W at 20 K and a single-stage head with a cooling capability of 40W at 70 K. This magnetic system has been successfully integrated and tested in a 120 kVA FCL model. The design, characteristics and tests of this magnetic system are described.