Exploring the Effects of Partial Electrical Connectors on HTS Coils: A Case Study of Insulated Coil and Paraffin-Impregnated NI Coil

Abstract

This study explores the influence of the Partial-Electrical-Connector (PEC) on High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) coils. The PEC method emerges as a promising alternative to the conventional No-Insulation (NI) technique, establishing a direct current path between turns through partially soldered metal foils, such as copper, on the coil surface. This innovative approach achieves comparable performance to NI without necessitating a complete path between turns, offering advantages even in insulated or paraffin-impregnated coils. For the investigation, an insulated HTS coil and two NI HTS coils with paraffin impregnation are prepared. These coils undergo testing under overcurrent conditions, and their performance is compared with PEC-applied samples. The results demonstrate that coils with PEC application exhibit definitive current bypass characteristics. This finding highlights the potential of PEC to effectively create current bypass paths in both insulated and paraffin-impregnated coils.