Development of a 600 A HTS current lead using modular design

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 1310 - 1312
• Main Authors: Scheller, L., Rothfeld, R., Werfel, F., Gehring, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.03.2002; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Connection and protection apparatus; Contact resistance; Crystal growth; Dielectrics and electrical insulation; Economics; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical insulation; Exact sciences and technology; Fabrication; High temperature superconductors; Housing; Lead; Prototypes; Robustness; Soldering; Superconductivity; Tasks; Temperature measurement; YBCO superconductors; Yttrium barium copper oxide
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/TASC.2002.1018643

The paper reports about the development and fabrication of a 600 A HTS current lead prototype. Main focus of this task was an economic and robust design. Thus we used a fiberglass housing, also providing electrical insulation, replaceable parts and common soldering technology. The HTS part was made from an YBCO bar fabricated according to the ATZ in-house Ceramo Crystal Growth technology. Due to mechanical reasons and to reach a sufficient low contact resistance, a bar had to be used which had a far higher transport current carrying capability than the required 600 A. The measurements at low temperatures showed, that the chosen design is suitable for application. Especially advantages for high current applications can be expected.