The effects of partial insulation winding on the charge–discharge rate and magnetic field loss phenomena of GdBCO coated conductor coils

GdBCO single-pancake coils wound with Kapton insulation every 3, 6, 9 turns, and without insulation, were characterized by charge–discharge and over-current tests. The magnetic field saturation at higher currents than the critical current was affected by the portion of the insulated turns that restricted the surplus current flow away from the azimuthal current path. The charge–discharge delay decreased with the increase of the portion of the insulated turns, which suggested that partial insulation winding may be effective for use in HTS power applications. Magnetic field loss of the coils with reduced insulation at excessive high currents was mainly affected by the decrease in ampere-turns due to the electrically shorted-circuits between the non-insulated turns, which resulted in the over-current flow bypass through the turn-to-turn contacts.