Modeling and verification of the equivalent circuit for high temperature superconducting partial-core transformer with ReBCO-coated conductors

Purpose The purpose of this study is to propose a modeling method of the equivalent circuit for a new type of high-temperature superconducting partial-core transformer (HTS-PCT) made of ReBCO-coated conductors. Design/methodology/approach The modeling process is based on the Steinmetz equivalent circuit. The impedance components in the circuit are obtained by the calculations of the core losses and AC losses of the HTS windings by using theoretical methods. An iterative computation is also used to decide the equivalent resistances of the AC losses of the primary and secondary HTS windings. The reactance components in the circuit are calculated from the energy stored in the magnetic fields by finite element method. The validation of the modeling method is verified by experimental results Findings The modeling method of the equivalent circuit of HTS-PCT is valid, and an equivalent circuit for HTS-PCT is presented. Practical implications The equivalent circuit of HTS-PCT could be obtained by the suggested modeling method. Then, it is easy to analyze the characteristics of the HTS-PCT by its equivalent circuit. Moreover, the modeling method could also be useful for the design of a specific HTS-PCT. Originality/value The study proposes a modeling method of the HTS-PCT made of the second-generation HTS tapes, i.e. ReBCO-coated conductors.