Abstract: An input stage for programmable controllers in which a Schmitt trigger and a two-terminal configuration having a negative resistance characteristic are combined in an integrated circuit. A first resistor supplementing this bipolar configuration to form a constant-current sink is connected externally of the integrated circuit in parallel with the bipolar configuration. A power loss mainly develops in the first resistor which is external of the integrated circuit so that multi-channel input stages are able to be realized cost-effectively without requiring a supply of cooling air to cool the integrated circuit. A second resistor may be connected external of the integrated circuit in series with the two-terminal configuration to further reduce power loss within the integrated circuit and to limit the current flowing into the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An output circuit with a controller and intelligent output stages for process control where the output stages are supplied with power from separate voltage sources which are electrically separated from each other. The actuating commands from the controller for semiconductor switches in the output stages and feedback signals to the controller from the output stages are carried back and forth via optical couplers. Each output stage receives its own direct current supply, which is obtained by rectifying a chopper current supply. The feedback signals are transmitted serially being clocked by pulses derived from the chopper current supply. Thus, actuating commands may be issued without retrospective effect. Switching operations may be carried out during the process. Diagnostic signals concerning the load current circuit can provide feedback efficiently.

Abstract: A detector for detecting breakdowns on the high-voltage side of an electric precipitator, the voltage of which is supplied from an a-c network through a thyristor control circuit, a high-voltage transformer and a rectifier. The improvement of the invention comprises means for continuously comparing characteristic parameters of successive half-waves of variations of the voltage at the precipitator. A predetermined deviation of the characteristic parameters comprises a criterion for determining a breakdown of the precipitator voltage.

Abstract: A detector for detecting breakdowns on the high-voltage side of an electric precipitator, the voltage of which is supplied from an a-c network through a thyristor control circuit, a high-voltage transformer and a rectifier. The improvement of the invention comprises means for continuously comparing characteristic parameters of successive half-waves of variations of the voltage at the precipitator. A predetermined deviation of the characteristic parameters comprises a criterion for determining a breakdown of the precipitator voltage.

Abstract: A measuring circuit for measuring the ground resistance of an ungrounded power circuit, particularly a d-c system supplied from a converter circuit in which a series circuit including an a-c voltage generator, a measuring resistor and a coupling member is connected between the object of the measurement and ground and an evaluation circuit including a phase sensitive rectifier circuit forms the unknown ground resistance by dividing the active component of the current driven by the generator voltage through the series circuit into the voltage between the measurement object and ground.