Abstract: Switching apparatus for automatically interconnecting a first unit with a second unit, the apparatus having a first input/output assembly connected to the first unit and a second input/output assembly connected to the second unit, and including both at least one switch card each provided with at least one switch element, and a control unit for the card for establishing or not establishing interconnections between the first and second units as a function of determined instructions issued to said control unit, the control unit also including means for enabling the physical configuration of said switching apparatus to be input, and means suitable, once said input has been performed, for automatically interconnecting the first unit with the second unit in accordance with the instructions issued to the control unit by a user.

Abstract: A simulator, in particular for simulating thermal batteries, the simulator delivering an output voltage U.sub.bat across output terminals thereof, said output voltage being a function of a current I.sub.out delivered, into a load connected to said terminals, and of an e.m.f. parameter. E.sub.g and of an internal resistance parameter R.sub.g that are determined from simulation profiles that give successive values taken by said parameters under real battery operating conditions during an active life cycle of a given battery. The simulator includes computer equipment delivering the simulation profiles in the form of e.m.f. references C.sub.Eg and internal resistance references C.sub.Rg to a battery simulation card which, in order to generate the output voltage U.sub.bat of the simulator at the output of said voltage programmable power supply feeds said power supply with a battery voltage reference C.sub.