IEC 61788-3-2006 PDF

Full title and description

Superconductivity - Part 3: Critical current measurement - DC critical current of Ag- and/or Ag alloy-sheathed Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 oxide superconductors. This international standard defines a laboratory test method for determining the d.c. critical current of short, straight, monolithic Ag- or Ag‑alloy‑sheathed Bi‑2212 and Bi‑2223 wires and tapes (mono‑ and multicore), with and without applied external magnetic fields.

Abstract

IEC 61788-3:2006 specifies apparatus, specimen preparation, measurement procedure, calculation and reporting requirements for measuring the DC critical current of Ag/Ag‑alloy‑sheathed Bi‑2212 and Bi‑2223 oxide superconductors. The method is intended for conductors with critical currents below about 500 A and with n‑values greater than 5; tests may be performed in liquid helium or liquid nitrogen and with specified magnetic‑field orientations.

General information

• Status: Published international standard (IEC). Current edition in force; stability date indicated by IEC.
• Publication date: 27 April 2006.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), TC 90 (Superconductivity).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20; 29.050 (Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities; Superconductivity and conducting materials).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2006).
• Number of pages: 23 (IEC published format).

Scope

The standard applies to short, straight specimens of Ag- and/or Ag‑alloy‑sheathed Bi‑2212 and Bi‑2223 oxide superconductors that are monolithic in structure and shaped as round wire or flat/square tape (mono‑ or multicore). It covers DC critical current determinations for conductors with critical currents less than 500 A and voltage‑current characteristics with n‑values greater than 5. Tests can be performed with or without an external magnetic field; when a field is applied it is specified relative to the specimen (perpendicular to the length of the specimen, and for tapes either parallel or perpendicular to the wider surface). Specimens are immersed in liquid helium or liquid nitrogen during measurement. Deviations allowed for routine testing and specific restrictions are described in the standard.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the DC critical‑current test method for Ag/Ag‑alloy sheathed Bi‑2212 and Bi‑2223 conductors.
• Specification of specimen geometry (round wire, flat or square tape; mono‑ and multicore) and preparation instructions.
• Limits of applicability: Ic < 500 A and n‑value > 5, and guidance on routine‑test deviations.
• Required test environments: immersion in liquid helium or liquid nitrogen and provisions for testing in external magnetic fields with defined orientation and accuracy.
• Apparatus, voltage‑lead and contact requirements, measurement procedure, precision/accuracy statements, calculation of results and test report content.
• Informative annexes (additional information on Clauses 1–10 and magnetic hysteresis effects for high‑temperature oxide superconductors).

Typical use and users

Used by superconducting‑wire and tape manufacturers, materials and device test laboratories, research institutions and quality‑assurance teams for characterizing DC critical current performance of Bi‑2212/Bi‑2223 conductors. It supports product acceptance testing, R&D comparisons and inter‑laboratory consistency.

Related standards

IEC 61788 is a multipart series on superconductivity measurements; related parts include (examples): Part 1 (DC critical current of Cu/Nb‑Ti composite superconductors), Part 2 (DC critical current of Nb3Sn composite superconductors), and additional parts covering residual‑resistance ratio, Cu/superconductor volume ratios, mechanical properties, AC losses, microwave surface resistance and other measurement methods. National and regional adoptions exist as EN/BS/UNE documents that are identical or technically equivalent to IEC 61788‑3:2006.

Keywords

Superconductivity, critical current, DC critical current, Bi‑2212, Bi‑2223, Ag‑sheathed, Ag‑alloy, tape, wire, measurement procedure, liquid helium, liquid nitrogen, n‑value, TC 90.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61788-3:2006 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory test method for measuring the DC critical current of Ag‑ and/or Ag‑alloy‑sheathed Bi‑2212 and Bi‑2223 oxide superconductors (wire and tape forms).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen types and preparation, apparatus and contact requirements, measurement procedure (including testing in liquid helium or liquid nitrogen), field orientation rules for magnetic‑field tests, calculation of results, reporting requirements and statements on precision/accuracy. It applies to conductors with Ic < 500 A and n‑values > 5.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of Bi‑2212/Bi‑2223 conductors, test and calibration laboratories, research groups working on high‑temperature oxide superconductors, and QA/acceptance engineering teams.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition in force is IEC 61788‑3:2006 (Edition 2.0, published 27 April 2006). IEC shows the publication as the current second edition with an IEC stability date indicated (IEC webstore metadata). There is no widely published newer edition of Part 3 replacing the 2006 edition as of the cited IEC record. Users should check the IEC catalogue or their national standards body for any subsequent amendments or national adoptions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61788 is a multipart series covering measurement methods for various superconducting materials and properties (multiple numbered parts under TC 90). Part 3 is the specific part for Ag/Ag‑alloy‑sheathed Bi‑2212/Bi‑2223 DC critical current testing.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: DC critical current, Bi‑2212, Bi‑2223, Ag sheathed, Ag‑alloy, wire, tape, liquid helium, liquid nitrogen, n‑value, measurement procedure, IEC 61788.