Abstract: An electric coupling device for connecting, disconnecting or limiting the current in an electric circuit. The electric coupling device includes a variable resistor. This resistance is variable between a very low value corresponding to a conducting state and a very high value corresponding to a substantially insulating state. Switching between the states takes place continually and in a very short time. The invention relates to an electric circuit provided with such an electric coupling device and a method performed in accordance with the function of the electric coupling device.

Abstract: A controllable inductor comprises at least a tubular core, a main winding (1) surrounding the core and a control winding (3) passing substantially axially through the core. It is adapted for connection to a three phase alternating current network and has for this sake for each phase (14-16) a main winding (1) for connection to the phase, a core and a control winding, and the control windings of the three phases are electrically connected in series to each other.

Abstract: A fault current limiter according to the invention comprises a contact device (K) to the contacts of which is connected a resistor/inductor combination comprising a series connection of a first (R1) and a second (R2) resistor as well as a third resistor/inductor (R3) connected in parallel with the series-connected resistors. The second resistor consists of a resistor with superconducting properties, dimensioned such that the change from superconducting to normally-conducting state occurs when the critical current density of the resistor is attained.

Abstract: A current limiter according to the invention has two resistors, the first one consisting of a thin layer of a material which may become superconducting and the second one is a resistance layer applied on first resistor, the latter resistor layer being dimensioned such that its resistance becomes considerably lower than the resistance of the superconducting layer when it is not superconducting, however with a resistance of such a magnitude that, in the current circuit in question, it limits the current to a permissible value. For mechanical support of the resistors, an insulator is included in the current limiter, and the superconducting material is applied on insulator. The resistors and the insulator are arranged immersed into a cryotank.