Measurement of Current Distribution in Superconducting Non-Insulated Stranded Cable

Abstract

A method to measure the current distribution in superconducting stranded-cables without electrical insulation has been developed. Stability property of multi-strand superconducting cables is significantly influenced by the current distribution among their strands. Static current imbalance among the strands is one of the reasons for the quench current degradation in multi-strand superconducting cables. In addition to this static current distribution, we point out the transient current re-distribution during quench or recovery process can influence the stability of multi-strand superconducting cables. The measurement of current distribution in multi-strand superconducting cables is necessary to study their stability property experimentally. In our method, sets of Hall sensors arranged around the cable are used to measure the magnetic field distribution. The current in each strand is calculated with the measured magnetic field. It is possible to measure the static current distribution as well as transient one. With this method, the current distribution can be measured locally in superconducting cables made of strands without insulation where the current distribution is supposed to change along the cable axis.