A current lead with kA capacity and small AC loss is being developed for us
e in superconducting current limiting devices cooled with liquid helium. A
gas-cooled type current lead using Bi-based oxide superconducting bulk mate
rials was examined to clarify the effects of the current lead geometry and
the use of multiple current leads. This paper presents the results of exper
iments and numerical simulations based on the finite element method taking
consideration of non-uniform transport current distribution among multiple
current leads connected in parallel. The simulations are performed to inves
tigate the relationship between the geometry of current leads and the amoun
t of heat flow into a cryostat. In the simulations, the AC loss caused by b
oth mutual and self-induced magnetic fields of multiple current leads is ta
ken into account. The influence of AC loss, the joule heat generated by the
contact resistance at joints of NbTi/CuNi multi-strand cables and the HTS
bars, and the return passage for gas on the operating characteristics of th
e HTS current leads are evaluated.