  We derive a posteriori error estimates for a semi-discrete finite element
approximation of a nonlinear eddy current problem arising from applied
superconductivity, known as the $p$-curl problem. In particular, we show the
reliability for non-conforming N\'{e}d\'{e}lec elements based on a residual
type argument and a Helmholtz-Weyl decomposition of
$W^p_0(\text{curl};\Omega)$. As a consequence, we are also able to derive an a
posteriori error estimate for a quantity of interest called the AC loss. The
nonlinearity for this form of Maxwell's equation is an analogue of the one
found in the $p$-Laplacian. It is handled without linearizing around the
approximate solution. The non-conformity is dealt by adapting error
decomposition techniques of Carstensen, Hu and Orlando. Geometric
non-conformities also appear because the continuous problem is defined over a
bounded $C^{1,1}$ domain while the discrete problem is formulated over a weaker
polyhedral domain. The semi-discrete formulation studied in this paper is often
encountered in commercial codes and is shown to be well-posed. The paper
concludes with numerical results confirming the reliability of the a posteriori
error estimate.
