A NEW CABLE-IN-CONDUIT CONDUCTOR MAGNET WITH INSULATED STRANDS

Many studies have used cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) coils in tryi ng to develop an a.c. superconducting magnet. The strands in the most recent CICC magnets are coated with chromium or another metal with hig h electrical resistance in order to induce current redistribution amon g the strands and to avoid a quench caused by a current imbalance. If, however, the cable currents were well balanced, insulating the strand s would be the best way to reduce a.c. losses. We propose a new CICC m agnet structure featuring a current lead that balances the strand curr ent via its resistance. Having calculated current balances, we find th at strand currents are well within the present parameters for nuclear fusion experiments and superconducting magnet energy storages. (C) 199 6 Elsevier Science Limited