STABILITY AND LOSSES OF AC SUPERCONDUCTIN G CONDUCTORS

Recent progresses obtained on low-T(c) superconductors usable at indus trial frequencies allow to envisage a new and innovating application a s the current limiter. The device conception determines a cryogenic co st due to the dissipated energy in superconducting wires. In order to reduce the losses sufficiently, fine wires with submicromic filaments must be used. In relation to the need to obtain an infaillible protect ion during the quench, a new type of conductor, has been worked out, t ested and validated. The main technical aspects concerning the losses of low-T(c) superconductors have been developed on this paper.