An apparatus (200; 400; 500; 600), comprising: an electrically conductive coil that is made from a superconducting material and that is configured to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed therethrough; a persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil and configured to be selectively activated and deactivated; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump unit that is disposed outside of the cryostat; at least one sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the apparatus (200; 400; 500; 600) and to output at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller; first and second electrically conductive leads which are retractable and extendable under control of the magnet controller, and are configured in a retracted position to be disposed substantially entirely outside the cryostat and in an extended position to extend into the cryostat; and third and fourth electrically conductive leads disposed within the cryostat and connected to opposite ends of the electrically conductive coil, wherein the magnet controller is configured to receive the at least one sensor signal and in response thereto to detect whether an operating fault exists in the apparatus (200; 400; 500; 600), and when the operating fault is detected, to extend the first and second electrically conductive leads to be engaged with, and electrically connected to, the third and fourth electrically conductive leads, respectively, wherein the first and second electrically conductive leads are connected to the energy dump unit, and to connect the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil so as to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit, wherein the energy dump unit is configured to disperse the energy outside of the cryostat. an electrically conductive coil that is made from a superconducting material and that is configured to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed therethrough; a persistent current switch connected across the electrically conductive coil and configured to be selectively activated and deactivated; a cryostat having the electrically conductive coil and the persistent current switch disposed therein; an energy dump unit that is disposed outside of the cryostat; at least one sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the apparatus (200; 400; 500; 600) and to output at least one sensor signal in response thereto; and a magnet controller; first and second electrically conductive leads which are retractable and extendable under control of the magnet controller, and are configured in a retracted position to be disposed substantially entirely outside the cryostat and in an extended position to extend into the cryostat; and third and fourth electrically conductive leads disposed within the cryostat and connected to opposite ends of the electrically conductive coil, wherein the magnet controller is configured to receive the at least one sensor signal and in response thereto to detect whether an operating fault exists in the apparatus (200; 400; 500; 600), and when the operating fault is detected, to extend the first and second electrically conductive leads to be engaged with, and electrically connected to, the third and fourth electrically conductive leads, respectively, wherein the first and second electrically conductive leads are connected to the energy dump unit, and to connect the energy dump unit across the electrically conductive coil so as to transfer energy from the electrically conductive coil to the energy dump unit, wherein the energy dump unit is configured to disperse the energy outside of the cryostat.