Numerical investigation of the current distribution in cable-in-conduit conductors using lumped network models

Magnet coils wound from superconducting multistrand cables exhibit a reduced current carrying capability during nonsteady-state operation. This may be caused by a nonuniform current distribution in the cable. The extent of this nonuniformity depends on the design of the coil. Hence, measurements of the actual current distribution cannot be performed on short cable samples. In order to be able to estimate the performance of a cable for a given coil geometry already during the design phase of the magnet, lumped network models have been developed for a numerical investigation based on geometrical and material data of the coil and the cable, This work focuses on cable-in-conduit conductors (CICCs). Actual conductor designs have been modeled and the influence of the interstrand conductance and the geometrical accuracy of the cable was investigated.