Electromagnetic behavior of a superconducting power cable

The electromagnetic behavior of a superconducting power cables consisting o f a layered structure is described using a circuit model, Ingredients for t he model are the voltage current characteristics of the tapes used to make the fable, and the self and mutual inductances of the layers. Current and v oltage wave shapes are calculated numerically as a function of externally a pplied ac, This is shown quantitatively for a 4 layer cable with alternatin g pitch of +/- 0.3m. Saturation losses are computed simply by multiplying v oltage and current. Due to the non-linear VI characteristics of the layers, layer currents becomes non-sinusoidal in the vicinity of the layer critica l current. However, if the current is below the critical current of the who le cable these nan-linearities appear to cancel and the overall current sha pe remains sinussoidal.