The electrical aspects of the choice of former in a high T/sub c/ superconducting power cable

Centrally located in a superconducting power cable the former supplies a rigid means onto which to wind the superconducting tapes and enables a continuous supply of cooling power via a flow of liquid cryogen through it. Therefore, the choice of former has a broad impact on the construction and design of a cable. The diameter of the former determines the overall diameter of the total cable, influences the heat loss to the ambient and enters into the total AC-losses. Depending on whether the former is made of a good or poor electrical conductor, eddy currents in the former itself may also contribute significantly to the AC-loss of the cable; the choice between an open and a closed former determines how and where the pressure load (pressurized coolant) has to be accommodated. In this work the electrical impact of the choice of material and diameter of the former on the AC-loss of a cable conductor is addressed.