Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cascode switching element comprising two or more electronic switching devices connected in series. The devices having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a control terminal that operates between a closed N state and an open state. The cascode switching element also includes a voltage balancing circuit connected to the at least two electronic switching devices and operative to limit cause the two or more electronic switching devices to share a line voltage across the switching element when in an open state in a manner that a nominal maximum voltage across a first one of the switching devices is not exceeded when said line voltage exceeds said nominal maximum voltage with a remaining portion of said line voltage being present across a remainder of said at least two electronic switching devices.

Abstract: A method for performing a learning cycle to determine a Start Temperature and a Stop Temperature for a PI loop algorithm is used for operating a climate control system (20) in an animal house (10). The climate control system has at least one climate control input device (21) and at least one heater device (23) and a climate control module (27) that receives input information from the at least one input device and controls the operation of the at least one heater device to regulate the climate in the animal house.

Abstract: A climate control system for an animal house having a plurality of climate control outputs such as heaters or ventilation fans has a control unit that regulates operation of climate control outputs. The control unit has a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of sensing devices, each of the plurality of sensing devices located in a different portion of the animal house and connected to one of the plurality of input terminals of the control unit with a connector to provide a signal to the control unit which is used to control the climate in the animal house. Each sensing device includes a thermal resistive sensor and an indicating LED configured to be selectively turned on by the control unit to indicate when the sensing unit is connected to the control unit.