Development and Test of a Small Resistive Fault Current Limiting Device Based on a SmBaCuO Ceramic

Abstract

Since the development of Low Critical Temperature Superconducting (low-Tc) materials, various studies have been published regarding this experimental concept. Recently, researchers have focused on the design and application of high-Tc superconductor (high-Tc) materials to develop fault current limiting circuit breakers. The operation of this circuit requires large prospective/limited current ratios, especially in hazardous areas. In spite of this, several studies describing the Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) containing members of the bismuth, mercury or yttrium family cuprate have already been described. However, none of these studies included samarium cuprates. Consequently, we have conducted a study of a small superconducting current limiter device based on SmBa2Cu3O7-d samples. The preliminary results indicated that samarium cuprates could be applied to build superconducting fault current limiter devices. In tests using a polycrystalline sample, the superconducting properties were retained without modifications to its stoichiometry. These results suggest the possibility of future investigations into SFCL devices based on these superconducting ceramics. Keywords: High-Tc, Sm-123, Device, Fault current limiter.