Simulation and electrical characterization of MgB2 and YBCO tapes for superconducting fault current limiter prototypes

In the past, bismuth-based high temperature superconductors (HTS) was the only commercially available HTS conductors. The recent achievements in the production of MgB2 tapes and YBCO coated conductors (CC) persuaded us to study both these HTS as potential candidates for Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) applications. In this work, we report on critical current measurements on MgB2 tapes and windings and YBCO CC at 4.2 K and in the temperature range 65-80 K, respectively. Results of electrical characterizations on MgB2 and YBCO specimens having different metallic matrix, are used in a numerical model able to predict the SFCL behaviour in view of their potential applications.