Abstract: In a load actuation circuit of an emitter-follower circuit arrangement, a surge detection circuit detects a power surge voltage superposed on a power voltage of a power line. A feed circuit supplies current to a control electrode of an output transistor (i.e. emitter-follower transistor) from the power line to turn on the output transistor forcibly when any power surge voltage is detected by the surge detection circuit. Thus, the power surge voltage is absorbed by the output transistor.

Abstract: A junction box architecture includes a main circuit breaker, plurality of branch circuit breakers, and an arc detection unit. The main circuit breaker input is connected to main power supply lines, e.g., phase 1 and phase 2 power lines. The main circuit breaker output is connected to respective inputs of branch circuit breakers and to an input of the arc detection unit. The arc detection unit includes an enable output and is configured to generate an enable signal on the enable output. The enable output is coupled to enable inputs of each branch circuit breaker. When no enable signal is present on an enable input of any one branch circuit breaker, the one breaker will not trip. In general, for any one circuit breaker to trip, the breaker must simultaneously detect a high frequency current in the associated branch circuit and receive an enable signal from the arc detection unit.

Abstract: An electro-static discharge (ESD) protection continuous monitoring device includes two or more resistance comparison circuits which compare the grounding resistances to earth ground of two or more electrical nodes to a maximum acceptable ESD protection resistance mandated by the ESD protection specification. An ESD protection failure indicator is driven by a logic circuit coupled to the resistance comparison circuits and activates when one or more of the resistance comparison circuits detects that the grounding resistance is greater than the maximum acceptable ESD protection resistance. The ESD protection continuous monitoring device includes a reference resistor which represents the maximum acceptable ESD protection resistance for any given monitored node. A reference resistor failure indicator notifies the operator that the reference resistor is faulty.

Abstract: A surge protector circuit is installed in the middle of a standard cordset so that an OEM cordset can also provide surge protection. Telephone line surge protection (e.g., for fax and modem) and coaxial cable surge protection (e.g., for television) may be provided in the same unit.

Abstract: A method and a device for control of a switching operation consisting of a turn-on or turn-off operation in a voltage-controlled power transistor (T1), wherein at least one current source (S1, S2) is arranged at the control electrode (G) of the power transistor for controlling the recharging of at least one of the capacitances which occurs between the control electrode (G) of the power transistor and the main electrodes (C, E) of the power transistor and thus to determine the time rate of change of at least one of the quantities voltage and current.

Abstract: A pre-engineered single-rated combination starter is suitable for controlling any size motor ten horsepower and below in a three-phase 460 volt system. The assembled starter comprises an electronic overload relay having current sensors which do not carry motor current, a contactor and fuses sized for the ten horsepower motor, wire conductors sized corresponding to the fuse size, and an installation specification to use that specific size wire for connection with the motor.

Abstract: The protection device of an electronic circuit is an electronic AC circuit protection device. The protection device has the characteristic of over-voltage protection, over-current protection, electronic switch, and soft start. Devices of the protection circuit are electronic box, electronic devices box, and power factor regulator that is designed in the structure of L.C. in parallel on the source side of the protection circuit. The protection circuit can be applied in switching power supply, electronic ballast, etc., electronic circuit devices. The main electrical electronic devices include Triac Thyristor, Silicon Controlled Rectifier, Phototriac Coupler and Photothyistor Coupler etc. The protection device has characteristic of standing surge current that solving the problem of life and reliability of electronic devices in now a day. The invention is a necessary protection device for electrical industrial.

Abstract: A circuit that utilizes a Zener diode to protect elements of a circuit from an over-voltage condition. When a fault occurs, causing an over-voltage condition, the voltage applied to the elements of the circuit is limited by the Zener diode. In addition, the circuit senses the over-voltage condition. Upon sensing the over-voltage condition, the circuit gradually reduces the power applied to that portion of the circuit to a minimum level. If the over-voltage condition persists for a predetermined amount of time, power is shut down to that portion of the circuit until the circuit is re-started. Because the amount of time that an over-voltage condition may occur is limited, the Zener diode may have a lower power rating than would otherwise be required. This is because the power dissipation capabilities of a Zener diode conducting current under a reverse bias are greater when the reverse bias is of a short duration than when the reverse bias is of a long duration.

Abstract: A self-powered multiple phase circuit protection device including a plurality of current transformers connected in parallel with each other and associated with one phase of a multiple phase load for providing signals representative of the current flowing in an associated phase. A switch can be actuated to interrupt power to the multiple phase load, and a fault determining circuit is connected to the circuit transformers and to the switch for actuating the switch during at least one predetermined condition of the current signals. The fault determining circuit has digital pulse extender circuitry for converting the current signals into DC signals, and a digital timer for delaying actuation of the switch.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a tank circuit for receiving a power signal transmitted on a radio frequency (RF) carrier by a remote interrogator unit. Information is conveyed from the tag to the interrogator by varying a resistive load placed across the tank circuit as a function of data read from memory. Corresponding variations in the reflected signals are then detected by the interrogator. An overvoltage circuit cooperates with a modulation circuit for providing transmission of data even during an overvoltage condition, thus avoiding masking of the signal under such conditions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure with input/output gate voltage regulation and parasitic zener and junction diodes for protection against damage resulting from electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. The circuit includes a first protective FET connected between an input/output pad and a ground potential of the integrated circuit. A diode voltage regulator is also connected between the gate of the first protective FET and a reference potential of the integrated circuit. The first protective FET receives a voltage from its gate-drain overlap capacitance during an ESD event. The diode is operative during an ESD event to provide a sufficient voltage to the first FET gate to permit a desired ESD current flow through the first protective FET. In one embodiment the first FET is an NMOS device and the diode voltage regulator is a series of p-n forward biased diodes.

Abstract: The invention is a MOV based surge arrester that uses MOVs manufactured from a recently patented process. These new technology MOVs are significantly more uniform in their composition, resulting in more uniform performance. Each MOV is packaged by placing it between a pair of contact plates, preferably manufactured from aluminum. This packaging significantly increases the surface area between the contact plates and the MOVs. Wiring is minimized. Also, the use of the metal plates increases the ability of a surge suppresser to remove the heat generated in severe over-voltage situations. The preferred embodiment teaches conductor wires soldered to a disk in a grid pattern. The grid pattern provides a low empedance connection and prevents failure of the MOV at a lower than expected voltage. Grid patterns can include spiral, serpentine S, and square patterns.

Abstract: A sleep switch connected to a ramp pin, an undervoltage lockout circuit and a hysteretic differential comparator for use in the undervoltage lockout circuit are disclosed. An integrated circuit has a comparator that receives a voltage from the ramp pin which it compares with a control voltage. The sleep switch connected to the ramp pin is activated when the ramp pin is below a predetermined voltage threshold at which point it puts the integrated circuit into a low power consumption sleep mode. The undervoltage lockout circuit includes a detection leg connected between the supply terminal and ground. A current supply is enabled when the voltage across a resistive portion of a detection leg rises above a first threshold. A differential comparator is responsive to the detection voltage for enabling the current supply. The differential comparator may include three transistors arranged to provide first and second detection thresholds so as to establish a hysteresis.

Abstract: An improved auto-reclosing dead time control apparatus and a method thereof for a transmission cable protection relay system which is capable of providing an on-line stability evaluation method which is capable of controlling the dead time of the transmission cable automatic reclosing relay in accordance with the stability margin, which includes an electrical system for controlling an automatic reclosing operation in accordance with a variation of a transmission cable failure dead time, a transient stability margin evaluation means for evaluating a transient stability margin in accordance with a failure information inputted from the electrical system, and a reclosing relay means for varying the dead time in accordance with a transient stability margin evaluated by the transient stability margin evaluation means.

Abstract: An integrated interior trim and electrical assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes an integrated electrical junction box and an interior trim panel. The interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. The junction box includes a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid printed circuit board, a busbar and insulator assembly, and a conductive deposited trace. The integrated interior trim and electrical assembly employs a sheet-like electrically conductive circuit layer which distributes electricity between a switch and an electricity activated device. A sheet-like electrically conductive layer is partially external from and partially disposed inside of an electrical junction box wherein it is electrically connected to one or more of the other circuit layers also contained within the junction box.

Abstract: Isolation circuitry for automatically disconnecting a load from a source upon detecting a short and for automatically reconnecting the load to the source after the short circuit clears. The isolation circuitry includes a first node connected to a second node via a first transmission path, and a third node connected to a fourth node via a second transmission path maintained at a different voltage than the first transmission path. There is a switch between the nodes on the first transmission path, and a sensing circuit that is connected between the first and second transmission paths. The sensing circuit includes a current generator that induces a fault indicating current into a load between the first and second transmission paths and monitors the fault indicating current for an increase over a threshold defined by an operating voltage setting circuit when the load impedance falls below a lower limit indicating a short circuit.

Abstract: A method of energy-saving regulation of the attraction of an armature of a switching magnet, particularly an electromagnet for a control element in an internal combustion engine, wherein a medium voltage U.sub.Z is formed by switching to the lowest-available supply voltage U.sub.V, the medium voltage being sufficient to regulate a current I.sub.S in order to build up the magnetic field of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A lighting arrester of a simple structure facilitates connection of same to a coaxial cable or the like, affording reduced connection costs while providing, optionally, fail-safe and vent-safe functions. A central electrode of the light arrester has a discharging section and a pair of lead terminals extending from opposite ends of the discharging section, each for connection to a signal line. A tubular outer electrode, for connection to an earth line, has an interior space accommodating the central electrode therein. A pair of insulating holders are received at opposite ends of the tubular electrode and the lead terminals extend through and are held thereby for positioning the central electrode within the interior space of the outer electrode, isolating the discharging section from the inner circumference of the outer electrode by a predetermined gap therebetween, the terminals extending outwardly from the outer surfaces of the respective insulating holders.

Abstract: A surge suppression system includes a surge suppression circuit having multiple surge suppression elements each capable of activating during a voltage transient or other power surge condition. A multi-level monitoring circuit surveys the percentage of operational surge suppression elements. The monitoring circuit generates a low priority signal when a small percentage of the surge suppression elements are disabled. The monitoring circuit generates a high priority signal when a second higher percentage of the surge suppressor elements are disabled. In another aspect of the invention, each fuse is formed as a trace on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A differential current protective device for a transformer arranged in a multi-phase power supply system and having at least one star-connected winding arrangement with a grounded star point. The differential current protective device receives currents proportional to the system currents via current transformers provided on the high and low voltage sides of the transformer. A computing circuit of the protective device determines a differential phase-related current from the currents measured, taking into account a current parameter that corresponds to the zero system current based on the phase and whose intensity is monitored. The differential current protective device includes an auxiliary current transformer having its primary winding in the connection between the star point and ground. The computing circuit processes the secondary current of the auxiliary current transformer as the current parameter corresponding to the zero system current.