Secondary resonant 
pickup coils (102) used in loosely coupled inductive power transfer systems, with resonating capacitors (902) have high Q and could support large circulating currents which may destroy components. A current limit or "
safety valve" uses an 
inductor designed to enter saturation at predetermined resonating currents somewhat above normal working levels. Saturation is immediate and passive. The constant-current characteristic of a loosely coupled, controlled 
pickup means that if the saturable section is shared by 
coupling flux and by leakage flux, then on saturation the 
current source is terminated in the saturated 
inductor, and little detuning from 
resonance occurs. Alternatively an external saturable 
inductor (1101, 1102) may be introduced within the resonant circuit (102 and 902), to detune the circuit away from the 
system frequency. Alternatively 
DC current may be passed through a winding to increase saturation of a saturable part of a core. As a result, a fail-safe 
pickup offering a 
voltage-limited constant-current output is provided.