Development and test of a small resistive fault current limiting device based on Hg, Re-1223 and Sm-123 ceramics

Abstract

Several reports describing Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) containing members of the bismuth or yttrium ceramics were already described. However, none of these included the mercury and samarium cuprates. Consequently, we have conducted a study of a resistive-type superconductor fault current limiter based on Hg0.82Re0.18Ba2Ca2Cu3O8+d samples and SmBa2Cu3O7-d ceramics. All polycrystalline samples were prepared by solid-state reaction method using commercial oxide and carbonate powders. The superconducting ceramic with 2.4 × 2.6 × 6.0 mm³ dimensions was set up such that the electrical current flew through the area of 2.6 × 6.0 mm². All measurements were done at 77K and without applied magnetic field (Happ = 0). In the case mercury sample, the fault current of 16.1 Apeak was reduced to 8.1 Apeak by the superconducting element and sustained for 100 ms. The prospective/limited of current ratio observed in this experiment was ~ 2.0, as considered a 2.4 mm pellet thickness. When the test was realized with the samarium sample, the prospective/limited current ratio observed was approximately 1.2, for same ceramic thickness. The tests confirmed the capability of the resistive type SFCL to limit the fault current. These results open the possibility of future investigations into SFCL devices based on those superconducting ceramics in low power electronics and electrical motor.