Measurement of AC losses in a racetrack superconducting coil made from YBCO coated conductor

We present the results of transport measurements of AC losses in a racetrack shaped superconducting coil made from coated conductor tape. The outer dimensions of the coil are approximately 24 cm x 12 cm and it has 57 turns. The coil is impregnated with epoxy resin and fiberglass tape is used to insulate the individual turns and to improve the mechanical properties of the epoxy when exposed to thermal cycling. The coil is manufactured as a part of the field winding of a small synchronous generator; therefore stainless steel frames are installed on the inner and outer side of the winding to reinforce it. The AC loss is measured versus the transport current I-a with the coil immersed in liquid nitrogen. Measurements at frequencies 21 Hz, 36 Hz and 72 Hz are compared. The AC losses follow I-a(2) dependence at low current amplitudes and I-a(3) at high amplitudes. After cutting the inner steel frame the low amplitude losses are decreased, their frequency dependence is reduced but their dependence on the current remains unchanged. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B. V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Guest Editors.