A high temperature superconducting (HTS) current lead comprises an HTS conductor 11 which is thermally and electrically connected to a shunt 21. When a quench event occurs, current flows through the shunt 21, via voltage taps 30 and 32, and generates heat in a quench heater 34 which is in thermal contact with a superconducting device 26. This results in a controlled quenching of the superconducting device 26 before a burn-out can occur. The shunt 21 may comprise stainless steel. A section of HTS 36 may be isothermal over its length and have a high heat capacity mass. The lead may be fully electrically shunted along its length with the shunt 21 soldered by an indium-based soldered. The first voltage tap 32 may be made of copper and the second voltage tap 30 may be made of brass, where the first tap 32 is at a lower temperature than the second tap 30. The voltage taps 30 and 32 may be made from an HTS material.
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