Critical Current Determination in High-Quality YBCO Rings for Application in a Fault Current Limiter

Abstract

The first section of this work is an introduction to basic properties of superconductors and the theory of operation of a superconducting fault current limiter (FCL). The set of experiments described in the subsequent sections characterize very pure, single-crystal samples of the high-temperature ceramic oxide superconductor YBa2Cu307-8 for application in an FCL. The critical current density and current limiting capabilities of the material are explored.