Transport current losses in Bi2223 high temperature superconductors

Bi2223 high temperature superconductor (HTS) tapes are expected to be used in power industry such as fault current limiter, transformer, magnets, transmission cables. For most of applications of Bi2223 tapes, the superconductor will transport ac current and/or be exposed to applied magnetic field. AC loss is one of important parameters to evaluate the economic feasibility of HTS ceramic superconductors in those applications. Extensive investigations have been done to understand the mechanism of generation of AC loss and minimize it. In this study, AC losses in Bi2223 (HTS) tapes were measured at 77 K. The effects of different factors, such as, current distribution, heat recycling, transport current wave and applied DC magnetic field, were investigated on the AC losses in Bi2223 HTS tapes. Possible explanations were presented in the paper.