High Tc superconductors applied to generators, transformers and fault current limiters

High temperature superconductors (HTS) offer potential technical and economic advantages compared to conventional conductors and low temperature superconductors. In this paper salient points are highlighted concerning the following power devices operating with HTS components at 77 K: a.c. synchronous generators, generator power transformers and fault current limiters. Of the devices considered, the most likely near term and commercially attractive is the superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL). In particular, the electrical properties required for an inductive shielded type of SCFCL operating at 77 K are achievable with HTS material available today