Abstract: A Hall Effect sensor, including a toroid including a gap having opposed surfaces, which are substantially planar and substantially parallel to one another. The toroid further includes a central plane bisecting the opposed surfaces. A first Hall element sensor defining a first sensor plane is positioned at least partially within the gap of the toroid at a first angle and a second Hall element sensor is positioned at least partially within the gap of the toroid at a second angle substantially mutually perpendicular to each of the opposed surfaces. The central plane is substantially perpendicular to the opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A method of regulating the operation of an electrical system, the electrical system including, a contactor unit including a contactor and a conductive element, sensing circuitry including at least two Hall Effect sensors, and a control unit including at least a trip circuit, an I2t unit, and a one coil current monitor. The method includes receiving, by the control unit, one or more first measurements, from the sensing circuitry and determining, by the control unit, a current corresponding to a current in the at least one conductive element based on the one or more first measurements. The control unit also determines an instantaneous power generated by a load based on the current and regulates the operation of the contactor unit based on the power generated by the load.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a voltage applied to a coil to actuate electromechanical relays or contactors. The strength of a magnetic field operating the coil is a function of the product of the number of turns of the coil wire and the magnitude of current, in amperes, passing through the coil wire. An adjustable voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage as an output to a first terminal of a coil to energize the coil based on the temperature of the coil as sensed by a temperature sensing device located proximate the coil. The regulated voltage is controlled based on the sensed coil temperature to consistently provide a current of optimal magnitude to actuate the coil at the sensed temperature. A transient voltage suppression circuit may be used with the coil to suppress back electromotive force generated currents and voltages when the coil is de-energized.

Abstract: A Hall Effect sensor, including a toroid including a gap having opposed surfaces, which are substantially planar and substantially parallel to one another. The toroid further includes a central plane bisecting the opposed surfaces. A first Hall element sensor defining a first sensor plane is positioned at least partially within the gap of the toroid at a first angle and a second Hall element sensor is positioned at least partially within the gap of the toroid at a second angle substantially mutually perpendicular to each of the opposed surfaces. The central plane is substantially perpendicular to the opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A method of regulating the operation of an electrical system, the electrical system including, a contactor unit including a contactor and a conductive element, sensing circuitry including at least two Hall Effect sensors, and a control unit including at least a trip circuit, an I2t unit, and a one coil current monitor. The method includes receiving, by the control unit, one or more first measurements, from the sensing circuitry and determining, by the control unit, a current corresponding to a current in the at least one conductive element based on the one or more first measurements. The control unit also determines an instantaneous power generated by a load based on the current and regulates the operation of the contactor unit based on the power generated by the load.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a voltage applied to a coil to actuate electromechanical relays or contactors. The strength of a magnetic field operating the coil is a function of the product of the number of turns of the coil wire and the magnitude of current, in amperes, passing through the coil wire. An adjustable voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage as an output to a first terminal of a coil to energize the coil based on the temperature of the coil as sensed by a temperature sensing device located proximate the coil. The regulated voltage is controlled based on the sensed coil temperature to consistently provide a current of optimal magnitude to actuate the coil at the sensed temperature. A transient voltage suppression circuit may be used with the coil to suppress back electromotive force generated currents and voltages when the coil is de-energized.

Abstract: A solid state relay includes a source bus and a drain bus. Solid state switches are arranged to switch power from the drain bus to the source bus. A control circuit controls a gate of the solid state switches. Each solid state switch includes a source terminal, a drain terminal and a gate terminal. The source terminals are conductively attached to the source bus and the drain terminals are conductively attached to the drain bus. The gate terminal opens and closes power through the solid state switches. The source bus is electrically isolated from the drain bus when the plurality of solid state switches is controlled by the gate terminal to an open state, the source bus is in electrical communication with the drain bus when the solid state switches is controlled by the gate terminal to a closed state.