Ramp-rate limitation experiment using induced current method. Part 1: experimental results

This paper describes a methodology of performing ramp-rate limitation experiments using only a background magnet without a power supply for the tested cable. Three-strand U-shape cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) samples were prepared with various parameters, three different surface contact resistance conditions and two hybrid cables with a pure copper wire or a stainless steel wire. Samples showed distinctive ramp-rate limitation phenomena with very sharp and sensitive transition between no-quench and quench results. Multiple quench-recovery processes during the continuous magnetic field ramp were also observed due to fast recovery of the sample after quench. The induced strand-to-strand loop current is believed to play the most important role in a quench of CICC during the ramped field. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.