Abstract: An integrated circuit that may be employed as a smart switch is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the integrated circuit includes a power transistor coupled between a supply pin and an output pin and further includes a control circuit configured to trigger a switch-on and a switch-off of the power transistor in accordance with an input signal. The control circuit is configured to trigger a switch-off of the power transistor when a load current passing through the power transistor is at or above a predetermined current and a supply voltage received at the supply pin is at or below a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods of sag in a power line. In an embodiment, a monitoring device may include a distance sensor and an operating parameter sensor. A processor of the monitoring device may acquire, via the distance sensor, a first distance measurement. The processor may acquire, via the operating parameter sensor, a first operating parameter measurement. The processor may provide an output signal indicating that the power line is sagging when a combination of the first distance measurement and the first operating parameter measurement exceed a first combined distance-operating parameter threshold.

Abstract: An active inrush current limiter and method of limiting inrush current actively monitor line voltage and voltage drop across a current limiting resistance in a manner that eliminates the impact of fluctuations of line voltage on the decision of when to close a relay and bypass a current limiting resistance between the AC source and a group of power supplies. The active inrush current limiter includes a microcontroller connected to control the electronic switch and relay. The microcontroller is configured to sample the source AC power and detect a pattern of current flow through the electronic switch and current limiting resistance. A program executed in the microcontroller includes calculations that determine when to close the relay and bypass the current limiting resistance by detecting changes in power flow through the current limiting resistance that reliably correspond to a time when the capacitors in the power supplies have completed charging.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit comprising a switch coupled between a first node and a second node, a first transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal coupled to the second node, and a source terminal coupled to a ground terminal, a logic gate having a first input, a second input coupled to a third node, and an output coupled to the gate terminal of the first transistor, and a comparator having a first input coupled to the second node, a second input coupled to a fourth node, and an output coupled to the first input of the logic gate.

Abstract: A current protection circuit for a high voltage system includes: a power supply module to supply power to a load through a high voltage bus and a low voltage bus; a detection module connected to the high voltage bus and used to detect a value of current flowing through the high voltage bus; a signal processing module electrically connected to the detection module and used to amplify the current flowing through the high voltage bus; and a control module electrically connected to the signal processing module, the power supply module, and the load, and used to disconnect the load from the power supply module or perform current limiting for the load when the value of the amplified current exceeds a preset threshold.

Abstract: An energy storage system (ESS) protection system includes: a battery monitoring system (BMS) configured to transmit a protection signal when an internal state or an external state of a battery cell is abnormal; a power conversion system (PCS) connected to the BMS through a hard wire, and configured to receive the protection signal through the hard wire; and an energy management system (EMS) connected between the BMS and the PCS through a universal communication line, and configured to receive the protection signal from the BMS and transmit the protection signal to the PCS. The PCS may be configured to perform an ESS shutdown when the PCS receives the protection signal through the hard wire or the universal communication line.

Abstract: An arc flash suppressor, system, and method are disclosed. The arc flash suppressor includes a main processor, a current sensor processor, a voltage sensor processor, a plasma ignition detector, and an arc flash extinguishing circuit. The current sensor processor is configured to detect a slew rate of an input current from a power source. The voltage sensor processor is configured to detect a slew rate of an input voltage from the power source. The main processor is configured to cause the arc flash extinguishing circuit to create a short circuit condition over the power source to extinguish an arc flash upon detection of a critical current slew rate, a critical voltage slew rate, and plasma ignition.

Abstract: A method for detecting a short circuit includes driving a transistor in response to a drive signal, forming a drain signal of the transistor, generating an inverted signal in response to the drain signal, generating a detect signal when the inverted signal and a control signal are active, and providing the drive signal in an active logic state when the control signal is active and the detect signal is inactive, and in an inactive logic state otherwise.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to inrush current limiters having a transformer. In one embodiment, an inrush current limiter includes a transformer including a primary winding, a secondary winding and a saturable magnetic core shared therebetween, a resistor connected in parallel with the secondary winding, wherein an impedance of the resistor is reflected across the transformer when a voltage is applied across the primary winding and the saturable magnetic core is not saturated, and a diode connected between the primary winding and ground.

Abstract: High voltage tolerant electrical overstress protection with low leakage current and low capacitance is provided. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die includes a signal pad, an internal circuit electrically connected to the signal pad, a power clamp electrically connected to an isolated node, and one or more isolation blocking voltage devices electrically connected between the signal pad and the isolated node. The one or more isolation blocking voltage devices are operable to isolate the signal pad from a capacitance of the power clamp. In another embodiment, a semiconductor die includes a signal pad, a ground pad, a high voltage/high speed internal circuit electrically connected to the signal pad, and a first thyristor and a second thyristor between the signal pad and the ground pad.

Abstract: The application discloses an overcurrent protection method and a display panel, where the overcurrent protection method includes the steps of: setting at least two different detection times with respect to the level period of the drive current to enable at least two sets of corresponding overcurrent protection thresholds; detecting at least two real-time currents for at least two different detection times in one level period; comparing the real-time current value and the corresponding overcurrent protection threshold value respectively, and stopping the output of the drive current if one or more of the real-time current values exceed the corresponding overcurrent protection threshold value to enable the overcurrent protection.

Abstract: A direct-current circuit breaker includes a first main circuit breaker inserted into a first direct-current line, a resonance circuit connected in parallel to the first main circuit breaker, a MOSA connected in parallel to the first main circuit breaker via the resonance circuit, a second main circuit breaker inserted into a second direct-current line, a switch connected in series to the second main circuit breaker, a resonance circuit connected in parallel to the second main circuit breaker, and a MOSA connected in parallel to the second main circuit breaker via the resonance circuit. The second direct-current line is a line that branches off from the first direct-current line and returns to the first direct-current line. The switch is inserted upstream of the second direct-current line.

Abstract: A valve is provided having a circuit that includes an electrical conductor with a temperature-dependent electrical resistance. The electrical conductor is connected in series to an electrical series resistor, which includes a parallel circuit of a non-reactive wire and an NTC resistor. The electrical conductor includes a coil wire wound into a magnetic coil that is operable to move an armature to open or close the valve. The effect of the operation of the valve itself on the magnetic force of the coil is minimized by arranging the NTC resistor to be thermally coupled with the coil wire.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to circuits and techniques for protecting a body diode of a power switch from an inductive load when the power switch is turned OFF. A driver circuit may detect whether the power switch is in a desaturation mode when the power switch is turned ON and disable the power switch in response to detecting that the power switch is in the desaturation mode. In addition, the driver circuit may detect whether the body diode of the power switch needs protection when the power switch is turned OFF, and in response to detecting that the body diode needs protection, control the power switch according to a body diode protection scheme.

Abstract: An electronic switch for a DC voltage system includes at least two turn-off semiconductor switches, a varistor and a capacitor, and at least two diodes connected in series with opposite polarity. The turn-off semiconductor switches are connected at a connection point in series with opposite polarity between a first connection of the electronic switch and a second connection of the electronic switch. In order to provide improved overvoltage protection, the varistor and the capacitor form a series connection, with one end of the series connection connected to the connection point. A DC voltage system employing the electronic switch and a method for limiting overvoltages in the electronic switch or in a corresponding DC voltage system are also disclosed. Inductive energy of an element connected to the electronic switch is transferred to the capacitor when a limit, defined by the varistor, has been exceeded.

Abstract: A power supply system includes: a battery; a master device supplied with power from the battery; and a slave device supplied with power from the master device via a first power supply line. The slave device supplies power to a load via a second power supply line. The master device estimates a temperature of the second power supply line. When the estimated temperature of the second power supply line is higher than a second cutoff threshold, power supply via the second power supply line is cut off.

Abstract: A wireline release tool for downhole intervention, the tool including a housing having an electrical input and an electrical output; a pass-through switch located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output; and a circuit limiter device located inside the housing and electrically connected between the electrical input and the electrical output. The pass-through switch is connected in parallel to the circuit limiter device, between the electrical input and the electrical output.

Abstract: A detecting system for a load control circuit includes: a main fuse connected on a main current path between a power supply and a load that receives power supplied from the power supply; a switching element connected on the main current path between the main fuse and the load; a thermal fuse attached to a surface of the switching element and configured to open when a temperature of the switching element exceeds a preset temperature; a controller configured to control the switching element to be turned on/off, detect an open state of the thermal fuse, and generate a fault signal; and a system controller configured to interrupt the power supplied from the power supply when the fault signal is received from the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a device from an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event are provided. A resistor-capacitor (RC) trigger circuit and a driver circuit are provided. The RC trigger circuit is configured to provide an ESD protection signal to the driver circuit. A discharge circuit includes a first metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor and a second MOS transistor connected in series between a first voltage potential and a second voltage potential. The driver circuit provides one or more signals for turning the first and second MOS transistors on and off.

Abstract: An over-current protection circuit for limiting a power current flowing through a switch device, which generates the power current according to a control signal of a control node, is provided. The over current control circuit includes a voltage control circuit, a current sense unit, a conversion circuit, and a control switch. The voltage control circuit provides the control signal to a gate terminal of the switch device according to a limit signal. The current sense unit senses the power current flowing through the switch device to generate a sense voltage. The conversion circuit converts the sense voltage into a conversion voltage. The control switch generates the limit signal according to the conversion voltage.