AC losses in HTS coils for high-frequency and non-sinusoidal currents

AC losses in racetrack coils that are wound of YBCO tapes are measured for sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal transport currents with fundamental frequencies up to 1 kHz. An electrical method to measure losses for non-sinusoidal currents is developed for this purpose. The measured losses are compared to the losses calculated by 2D finite element models with power-law material models. The frequency and waveform-dependency of the measured losses are shown and compared to the results of the models over a wide range of frequencies and waveforms. Finally, it is shown that the finite element models can accurately predict AC losses resulting from non-sinusoidal transport currents as are present in highly dynamic motors with AC armature coils.