Abstract: A solenoid operated circuit comprises a solenoid switch having a solenoid coil for moving one or more electrical contacts from a first position to a second position to switch an electrical motor ON/OFF, and a solenoid controller that includes an arc suppression circuit that mitigates a reverse self-induced voltage from the electrical motor thereby suppressing electrical arcing on switch contacts.

Abstract: A circuit protection apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism, an electronic trip unit storing a plurality of trip parameter combinations, wherein each of the trip parameter combinations specifies a certain value for each of a plurality of individual trip parameters, and a multi-position selector moveable among a plurality of predetermined positions and configured to enable selection of one of the predetermined positions. Each of the positions corresponds to a respective one of the trip parameter combinations, wherein the electronic trip unit is structured to, responsive to a chosen one of the plurality of predetermined positions being selected by the multi-position selector, cause the one of the trip parameter combinations corresponding to the chosen one of the plurality of predetermined positions to be used by the electronic trip unit to determine whether to cause the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to control hotswap operations with programmable logic devices (PLDs). In particular, a MOSFET is provided to limit an in-rush current drawn from a power supply by capacitive components of an electronic assembly when it is plugged into the live, power supply. A controller with an algorithm is provided to control the MOSFET based on the in-rush current detected at the MOSFET. As such, a feedback control loop is established to selectively bias the gate of the MOSFET based on the detected in-rush current. The algorithm may limit the in-rush current based on a Safe Operating Area (SOA) of the MOSFET. The hotswap process may include multiple phases each with a voltage and/or current limit modeling the voltages and currents of the SOA. The algorithm may transition through the phases with the respective current and/or voltage limits during the hotswap process.

Abstract: A residual current device (RCD) comprises test circuitry which issues intermittent first test pulses each simulating a residual current fault for which a corresponding fault signal is generated. In the case of a fault in which a corresponding fault signal is not received in respect of a first pulse, the RCD attempts to force the load contacts open. The test circuitry further issues intermittent second test pulses at a frequency less than that of the first test pulses, each second test pulse simulating a residual current for which a corresponding fault signal is generated. The duration of each corresponding fault signal is greater than the response time of the load contacts to allow the load contacts to open. If the test circuitry detects that the load contacts do not open, the RCD attempts to force the load contacts open.

Abstract: A circuit for use with a contactor including at least one contact is provided. The circuit includes a first segment including a voltage source, a first coil, a second coil, and a first transistor, wherein the first segment is configured to selectively conduct a closing current through the first coil, the second coil, and the first transistor to close the at least one contact. The circuit further includes a second segment including the first coil, a second transistor, and a first diode, wherein the second segment is configured to selectively conduct a holding current through the first coil, the second transistor, and the first diode to hold the at least one contact closed, and wherein the first diode is arranged such that substantially all current produced by the voltage source flows through the first coil.

Abstract: A differential protection device is designed for an electric disconnecting apparatus, the disconnecting apparatus comprising at least one fixed contact suitable for being connected to a corresponding electrical conductor, at least one movable contact, between a closed position, the movable contact being electrically connected to the corresponding fixed contact in the closed position and electrically isolated from the corresponding fixed contact in an open position, and an actuator for activating opening of the movable contacts when a differential fault is detected. The differential protection device comprises a controller for controlling the actuator. The differential protection device further comprises measuring circuitry for measuring an electrical variable associated with the controller and inhibiting circuitry for inhibiting the controller when the measured electrical variable satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: An electric-wire protection device that protects an electric wire by cutting off power to the wire when its temperature is elevated above a predetermined value is presented.

Abstract: A power supply, a controller, and a power element, wherein a DC compensation voltage is present at a first output of the power element to which a load having a variable current draw can be connected. A second output of the power element is thereby fed through a current measurement device, wherein a rechargeable battery is connected to the second output. A charging current or discharge current of the rechargeable battery measured by the current measuring device is set by controlling the DC compensating voltage. The charging current or discharge current of the rechargeable battery can thereby be determined even without a dedicated UPS assembly.

Abstract: A device includes a transistor cascode circuit including a first transistor configured to pull up voltage of a bulk and a node in response to a first control signal, and a second transistor configured to pull up voltage of an interface (I/O) pin in response to a second control signal. The device further includes a third transistor configured to pull down voltage of the I/O pin in response to a third control signal, and a feedback circuit configured to turn off the first transistor when the voltage of the I/O pin is above a predetermined level during a failsafe period.

Abstract: A motor drive device for driving a motor, which has a plurality of winding pairs, includes a plurality of inverter units for the plurality of winding pairs. The inverter units are coupled in parallel to a power source. A plurality of capacitors provided for the plurality of inverter units, and a plurality of power relays are disposed between the power supply and the inverter units. In particular, a power relay is provided for each of the inverter units. A control unit detects a short failure of the power relay, and simultaneously turns ON the power relays that do not have a short failure. In such manner, damage to the power relays as well as damage to other electronic components of the motor driver device due to a large electric current is prevented.

Abstract: Optical stacks containing one or more patterned transparent conductor layers may be damaged by electrostatic discharges that occur during the optical stack manufacturing process. Such damage may result in non-conductive conductors within the patterned transparent conductor layer. An electrostatic discharge protected optical stack may include a substrate layer, a first anti-static layer having a sheet resistance of from about 106 ohms per square (?/sq) to about 109 ?/sq, and a patterned transparent conductor layer. Methods of testing and assessing damage to patterned transparent conductors are provided.

Abstract: A surge protector having a hot line, a load line, a neutral line, and a ground line, the surge protector is provided. The surge protector has a fuse coupled between the hot line and the load line to protect loads from current surges. A differential mode protection circuit is coupled between the load line and the neutral line to protect loads from differential mode transient voltage surges. A common mode protection circuit is coupled to the load line, the neutral line and the ground line to protect loads from common mode transient voltage surges. An indicator circuit monitors the differential mode protection circuit and the common mode protection circuit to provide an indication as to the operational status of the surge protector.

Abstract: Appliances that include a ground fault door latch trip circuit that leverages a door latch circuit of the appliance to open one or more component relays upon detection of a current leakage event are provided. In particular, the ground fault door latch trip circuit can provide one or more shunt paths when a ground fault event is detected. The shunt paths can shunt current from a door latch to ground, such that the door latch circuit operates as if the door of the appliance has been opened.

Abstract: Power supplies together with related over voltage protection methods and apparatuses. A power supply has a transformer including a primary winding and an auxiliary winding. A power switch is coupled to the primary winding and a sensing resistor coupled between the power switch and a grounding line. A multi-function terminal of a controller is coupled to the sensing resistor. A diode and a first resistor is coupled between the auxiliary winding and the multi-function terminal.

Abstract: A first current cut-off unit that cuts off a current input from a power-supply-voltage input terminal connected to an AC power source when a current value of the current exceeds a preset threshold, and a second current cut-off unit that cuts off a current output from the first current cut-off unit when a voltage value of a voltage applied from the power-supply-voltage input terminal exceeds a preset threshold are configured. A current cut-off element provided on a current path from the power-supply-voltage input terminal toward a DC output terminal, and a resistor that draws a current having passed through the current cut-off element toward a ground are provided as the first current cut-off unit.

Abstract: A switch structure includes a power element, a keypad, a first magnetic component, and a second magnetic component. The second magnetic component is positioned adjacent to the first magnetic component. When the keypad is deactivated, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component. When the keypad is activated, the power element controls the first magnetic component to generate a magnetic repulsive force with the second magnetic component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex protection device including a substrate, fuse terminals provided on the substrate, first resistive terminals provided on the substrate so as to be separated from the fuse terminals, second resistive terminals provided on the substrate opposite to the first resistive terminals across the fuse terminals, a fusible element connected to the fuse terminals, a first surface-mounted resistive element connected to the first resistive terminals, a second surface-mounted resistive element connected to the second resistive terminals, at least one printed resistive element connected to at least one of the first resistive terminals and the second resistive terminals and connected to at least one of the first surface-mounted resistive element and the second surface-mounted resistive element, and a switching element controlling flow of current to the first and second surface-mounted resistive elements and the at least one printed resistive element if overvoltage is applied.

Abstract: Automated degaussing methods and apparatus are presented for degaussing a magnetic core in close loop fashion, in which a plurality of pulses are applied to a compensation coil magnetically coupled with the core with duration or energy being decreased in succeeding pulse cycles according to a discrete feedback algorithm, and with individual pulse polarities being set according to core magnetization polarity measured subsequent to an immediately preceding pulse.

Abstract: A reverse current protection (RCP) circuit is provided that includes an RCP switch coupled between a power supply rail and a buffer power supply node. A control circuit powered by a buffer supply voltage on the buffer power supply node controls the RCP switch to open in response to a discharge of a power supply voltage carried on the power supply rail.

Abstract: A terminal protection method that is applied to a terminal is provided. In the method, an air pressure change value collected by an air pressure sensor is obtained; the air pressure change value is compared with a preset air pressure change threshold; and when the air pressure change value exceeds the preset air pressure change threshold, a break instruction is generated, where the break instruction is used to break a power supply circuit of a mainboard circuit of the terminal. According to the terminal protection method provided in the present invention, the power supply circuit of the mainboard circuit of the terminal can be timely broken when the terminal falls into water, thereby solving a problem of a short circuit that occurs on the mainboard circuit of the terminal after the terminal falls into water.