A SUPERCONDUCTING FAULT CURRENT LIMITER

摘要

A superconducting fault current (10) limiter comprises a superconducting element (12) having a plurality of superconducting portions (14) and at least one connector (16). Each superconducting portion (14) has end regions (18, 20) and each connector (16) is connected to the end regions (18, 20) of adjacent superconducting portions (14) to electrically and thermally connect adjacent superconducting portions (14) of the superconducting fault current limiter (10) together. Each connector (16) provides a local reduction in the critical current and quench current of the end regions (18, 20) of the superconducting portions (14) in contact with the at least one connector (16). This provides a phased transition of the superconducting fault current limiter (10) in relation to the severity of a fault current.