Superconducting fault current limiter and cooling method for superconducting element within superconducting fault current limiter

摘要

A superconducting fault current limiter (10) is provided with superconducting elements (71, 72) that are in a superconducting state during electrification with a current value in a fixed range and in a normal conducting state during electrification with a fault current in which the current value exceeds the fixed range and is further provided with a coolant vessel (20), which accommodates a liquid coolant (60) and a plurality of superconducting elements, and a cooling means (40) that cools the liquid coolant within the coolant vessel. Within the liquid coolant, the superconducting element (71) for which the critical current is smallest among the plurality of superconducting elements is disposed on the upper side of any other superconducting elements (72). Thus, the superconducting element (71) is cooled, and the life of the superconducting fault current limiter as a whole is extended.