Abstract: A circuit for a phase connection of an inverter includes upper and lower bridge halves and respectively associated upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half has an outer switch and an inner switch connected in series. Each bridge segment has a diode and the inner switch of the associated bridge half connected in series. An output of the circuit is respectively connected to upper and lower potentials through the outer switches and is further connected to a center potential applied between the upper and lower potentials through each of the upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half further has a parallel power switch. The parallel switch of each bridge half is connected in parallel to the series-connected outer and inner switches of the bridge half. The output of the circuit is further respectively connected to the upper and lower potentials through the parallel switches.

Abstract: A photovoltaic installation includes a photovoltaic generator, electrical connector lines, an enabling signal source, and an arc discharge detector. The generator is configured to generate a DC voltage when an enable signal is applied to the generator. The electrical connector lines connect the generator to a voltage converter for the voltage converter to receive the DC voltage from the generator. The enabling signal source is configured to apply the enable signal to the generator. The arc discharge detector is configured to detect for an arc discharge by detecting for the presence on the connector lines of an AC voltage signal having characteristics indicative of an arc discharge. The arc discharge detector is further configured to cause the enabling signal source to stop applying the enable signal to the generator when an arc discharge is detected.