Abstract: A micro inverter includes a synchronous bi-directional power converter and a controller communicatively coupled to the synchronous bi-directional power converter. The controller is configured to operate the micro inverter in a forward conduction mode when photovoltaic (PV) power is available and operate the micro inverter in at least one of a reverse conduction mode and a reactive power compensation mode when PV power is unavailable.

Abstract: A micro inverter is provided. The micro inverter includes an inverter efficiency threshold detector configured to determine whether an efficiency of the micro inverter is below a threshold efficiency, wherein the micro inverter is configured to convert direct current power into alternating current power, and a microcontroller coupled to the inverter efficiency threshold detector and configured to operate the micro inverter in a continuous power mode, operate the micro inverter in a discontinuous power mode, and switch the micro inverter between the continuous power mode and the discontinuous power mode based on whether the efficiency of the micro inverter is below the threshold efficiency.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for operating a micro inverter using power point tracking is provided. The method includes calculating a change in input power over at least one previous grid cycle, calculating a change in an output current reference over the at least one previous grid cycle, and controlling the output current reference based on the change in input power over the at least one previous grid cycle and the change in the output current reference over the at least one previous grid cycle.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus for a photovoltaic panel includes a primary microcontroller configured to send a conversion signal to a DC to AC conversion unit. The inverter further includes a first isolator and a secondary microcontroller communicatively coupled to the primary microcontroller through the first isolator. The secondary microcontroller is configured to provide more than one communication mode to the primary microcontroller for communicating with a remote system.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a first converter coupled to a power source, wherein the first converter includes an input side, and an output side electrically isolated from the input side. The power conversion system also includes a second converter coupled to the power source, wherein the second converter includes an input side, and an output side electrically isolated from the input side. The second converter input side is coupled in parallel with the first converter input side, and the second converter output side is coupled in series with the first converter output side. The power conversion system also includes an inverter coupled to the first converter output side and to the second converter output side, and the inverter supplies alternating current to an electrical distribution network.

Abstract: An over current protection system includes a current sensing member configured and disposed to output an electrical rate of change signal that is indicative of a rate of change of an electrical current being in excess of a predetermined value, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device operatively connected to the current sensing member, and a controller electrically coupled to each of the current sensing member and the at least one MEMS device. The controller is configured and disposed to open the at least one MEMS device in response the electrical rate of change signal.

Abstract: A switching system includes a plurality of diodes forming a diode bridge, and a micro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch array closely coupled to the plurality of diodes. The MEMS switch array is electrically connected in an (M×N) array. The (M×N) array includes a first MEMS switch leg electrically connected in parallel with a second MEMS switch leg. The first MEMS switch leg includes a first plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series, and the second MEMS switch leg includes a second plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A switching system includes a plurality of diodes forming a diode bridge, and a micro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch array closely coupled to the plurality of diodes. The MEMS switch array is electrically connected in an (M×N) array. The (M×N) array includes a first MEMS switch leg electrically connected in parallel with a second MEMS switch leg. The first MEMS switch leg includes a first plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series, and the second MEMS switch leg includes a second plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a first converter coupled to a power source, wherein the first converter includes an input side, and an output side electrically isolated from the input side. The power conversion system also includes a second converter coupled to the power source, wherein the second converter includes an input side, and an output side electrically isolated from the input side. The second converter input side is coupled in parallel with the first converter input side, and the second converter output side is coupled in series with the first converter output side. The power conversion system also includes an inverter coupled to the first converter output side and to the second converter output side, and the inverter supplies alternating current to an electrical distribution network.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a trip mechanism which is coupled to an electrical circuit and which is configured to interrupt an operation of the electrical circuit when the trip mechanism is actuated, an electronic trip unit in signal communication with and configured to actuate the trip mechanism when pre-selected conditions are satisfied, and a rating plug coupled to the electronic trip unit and configured to operate in a first mode in response to a receipt of a transmitted control signal at the rating plug, and to otherwise operate in a second mode, the first and second modes being respectively associated with first and second ones of the pre-selected conditions to be correspondingly transmitted to the electronic trip unit by which the electronic trip unit determines whether to actuate the trip mechanism.

Abstract: A motor starter system includes a plurality of switches, and a controller operatively connected to each of the plurality switches. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively activate select ones of the plurality of switches upon detecting a particular phase angle of each of a plurality of phases of a multi-phase electrical source.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a trip mechanism which is coupled to an electrical circuit and which is configured to interrupt an operation of the electrical circuit when the trip mechanism is actuated, an electronic trip unit in signal communication with and configured to actuate the trip mechanism when pre-selected conditions are satisfied, and a rating plug coupled to the electronic trip unit and configured to operate in a first mode in response to a receipt of a transmitted control signal at the rating plug, and to otherwise operate in a second mode, the first and second modes being respectively associated with first and second ones of the pre-selected conditions to be correspondingly transmitted to the electronic trip unit by which the electronic trip unit determines whether to actuate the trip mechanism.