Frequency dependence of AC loss in Bi(2223)Ag-sheathed tapes

The AC self-field loss in Bi(2223)Ag-sheathed tapes with different number of filaments has been measured between 59 and 2500 Hz by means of a dual lock-in amplifier. Due to the wide frequency range of the measurements, we have been able to dissociate quantitatively the different self-field loss contributions: hysteretic, eddy current and resistive loss (near I_c). This is an important advantage compared to single frequency measurements where such loss dissociation is only qualitative. The hysteresis losses of the different tapes fall between Norris' predictions for elliptical and strip cross-section. The relative weight of eddy current loss is found to be inversely proportional to the current ratio—the higher the i, the less is their contribution. Frequency-independent resistive loss due to flux-creep is observed for high currents at low frequencies; this loss becomes quickly negligible with the increasing frequency.