Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor body; an electrical device formed in an active region of the semiconductor body, the active region including an interface between the semiconductor body and an insulating material; and a sensor having a bandwidth tuned to at least part of an energy spectrum of light emitted by carrier recombination at the interface when the electrical device is driven between accumulation and inversion, wherein an intensity of the emitted light is proportional to a density of charge trapping states at the interface, wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal that is proportional to the intensity of the sensed light. Corresponding methods of monitoring and characterizing the semiconductor device and a test apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor body; an electrical device formed in an active region of the semiconductor body, the active region including an interface between the semiconductor body and an insulating material; and a sensor having a bandwidth tuned to at least part of an energy spectrum of light emitted by carrier recombination at the interface when the electrical device is driven between accumulation and inversion, wherein an intensity of the emitted light is proportional to a density of charge trapping states at the interface, wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal that is proportional to the intensity of the sensed light. Corresponding methods of monitoring and characterizing the semiconductor device and a test apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a power semiconductor circuit may include input contact means for inputting a control signal, the control signal representing a switching command for the power semiconductor circuit, and also at least one output contact means, to which the power semiconductor circuit is connectable and which serves for outputting a switching signal to the power semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, the drive circuit comprises current path connection means for connecting the drive circuit to a current path to be switched by the power semiconductor circuit, and means for galvanically isolating the input contact means from the output contact means and the current path connection means. Circuit means which output a switching signal that switches on the power semiconductor circuit if a control signal representing the switch-on command for the power semiconductor circuit is input at the input contact means and also voltage is present at the current path connection means.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a power semiconductor circuit may include input contact means for inputting a control signal, the control signal representing a switching command for the power semiconductor circuit, and also at least one output contact means, to which the power semiconductor circuit is connectable and which serves for outputting a switching signal to the power semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, the drive circuit comprises current path connection means for connecting the drive circuit to a current path to be switched by the power semiconductor circuit, and means for galvanically isolating the input contact means from the output contact means and the current path connection means. Circuit means which output a switching signal that switches on the power semiconductor circuit if a control signal representing the switch-on command for the power semiconductor circuit is input at the input contact means and also voltage is present at the current path connection means.

Abstract: A method is for connecting a capacitive load assembly to a DC grid. The load assembly is connectable to a supply potential of the DC grid by a control unit via a controllable switch element. The controllable switch element is periodically activated and deactivated by the control unit. The level of the current pulses flowing through the controllable switch element during the respective activation phase of the controllable switch element is detected by means of a current measuring device. The development of the level of at least two current pulses immediately following one another over time is evaluated by the control unit. The controllable switch element is additionally periodically activated and deactivated by the control unit if a specified change in the development of the level of the at least two current pulses immediately following one another over time is ascertained.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device is for protecting a load arranged in a DC grid. The load is coupled to a supply busbar, which is connectable to a supply potential of the DC grid, in the DC grid via the overcurrent protection device. The overcurrent protection device is designed to ascertain a current trigger value based upon a detected value of a current flowing through the overcurrent protection device and a trigger characteristic which is assigned to the load and is based on the current; compare the current trigger value with a threshold, and either trigger the overcurrent protection device or not, based upon the result of the comparison. The current is taken into consideration together with a first or a second factor in the trigger characteristic based upon the current direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power converter module comprising a circuit board (7) in which an iron core (1) is integrated in recesses (6) of the circuit board (7), a winding with windings, forming a secondary circuit (8) of the power converter module, is arranged in or on the circuit board (7).

Abstract: A switching device is disclosed, in particular a circuit breaker, with a thermal release, on which a moving switching piece is arranged by a contact link support. The moving switching piece is borne on a spring body and is arranged opposite stationary switching pieces. A heat-extraction apparatus composed of a heat-dissipating material is in each case arranged at the side, along the stationary switching pieces.

Abstract: A device for protecting a user includes a first current path including a first and second conduit, and a monitoring device for detecting an imminent overload of the electric user. In an embodiment, the monitoring device includes a first temperature measurement unit, a support, an evaluation unit and a first transducer to produce an electrically conductive connection between the first and second conduits of the first current path. The first temperature measurement unit is, electrically insulated from the first transducer and includes a first temperature sensor. An additional electrically insulating material; is arranged on a first lateral surface of the support between the first transducer and the support and the first temperature sensor is arranged on the support to detect a temperature of the first transducer. The evaluating unit is configured to detect an imminent overload at the user on the basis of temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing equipped with a first switchgear region, in which a quenching chamber device and a sliding contact device having movable contacts are located, the contacts lying opposite fixed contacts, and equipped with a second switchgear region, in which a current release assembly consisting of a short-circuit release and an overload release are located. In an embodiment, a continuous ventilation channel is formed within opposing housing walls along the fixed contacts, the channel acting as a first convective air-flow through the circuit breaker in order to dissipate the heat.

Abstract: A triggering unit includes a tappet having a moving bearing, a power accumulator, a holding device and a printed circuit board coil. In the normal state the power accumulator acts upon the tappet with a power accumulator force in the direction of the first stop position and the holding device holds the tappet with a holding force in the second stop position. A printed circuit board coil force can be generated by an activation of the printed circuit board coil. The power accumulator, the holding device and the printed circuit board coil are formed such that the tappet rests in the second stop position in the inactive state of the printed circuit board coil and through an activation of the printed circuit board coil, the tappet assumes the first stop position such that the triggered status is given.

Abstract: A device for protecting a user includes a first current path including a first and second conduit, and a monitoring device for detecting an imminent overload of the electric user. In an embodiment, the monitoring device includes a first temperature measurement unit, a support, an evaluation unit and a first transducer to produce an electrically conductive connection between the first and second conduits of the first current path. The first temperature measurement unit is, electrically insulated from the first transducer and includes a first temperature sensor. An additional electrically insulating material; is arranged on a first lateral surface of the support between the first transducer and the support and the first temperature sensor is arranged on the support to detect a temperature of the first transducer. The evaluating unit is configured to detect an imminent overload at the user on the basis of temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing equipped with a first switchgear region, in which a quenching chamber device and a sliding contact device having movable contacts are located, the contacts lying opposite fixed contacts, and equipped with a second switchgear region, in which a current release assembly consisting of a short-circuit release and an overload release are located. In an embodiment, a continuous ventilation channel is formed within opposing housing walls along the fixed contacts, the channel acting as a first convective air-flow through the circuit breaker in order to dissipate the heat.

Abstract: A triggering unit includes a tappet having a moving bearing, a power accumulator, a holding device and a printed circuit board coil. In the normal state the power accumulator acts upon the tappet with a power accumulator force in the direction of the first stop position and the holding device holds the tappet with a holding force in the second stop position. A printed circuit board coil force can be generated by an activation of the printed circuit board coil. The power accumulator, the holding device and the printed circuit board coil are formed such that the tappet rests in the second stop position in the inactive state of the printed circuit board coil and through an activation of the printed circuit board coil, the tappet assumes the first stop position such that the triggered status is given.

Abstract: A switching device is disclosed, in particular a circuit breaker, with a thermal release, on which a moving switching piece is arranged by a contact link support. The moving switching piece is borne on a spring body and is arranged opposite stationary switching pieces. A heat-extraction apparatus composed of a heat-dissipating material is in each case arranged at the side, along the stationary switching pieces.

Abstract: In order to achieve thermomechanical overload protection with a broad adjustment range for protecting against overload currents, the live components carry an electrical current which is between the value of the overload current and zero. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, switching devices are used which, in a preferred embodiment, switch the current, in parallel, from a first current branch to at least one second current branch, the parallel-connected at least one current branch carrying a partial current, which is between the value of the overload current and zero. In the associated overload protection device, contact devices are provided which are associated with live components on two current branches which can be connected in parallel with one another, wherein at least one current branch can be switched on and off by the switching devices.

Abstract: A switching device includes a movable contact for opening and closing a circuit, and a magnetic shape memory alloy for driving the movable contact. In at least one embodiment, the switching device includes at least one actuator that activates the holding mode of the switching device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device is disclosed with an electromagnet and a movable magnet armature, which is mounted in the switching device with a resetting force, which counteracts the closing force, is different than zero in an OPEN position and is formed at least partially by a magnet arrangement with at least one permanent magnet. The magnet arrangement is arranged fixed in position in the switching device outside the magnetic circuit formed from the electromagnet and the magnet armature, and whose resetting force, which acts on the magnet armature, is at a maximum in the OPEN position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device is disclosed with an electromagnet and a movable magnet armature, which is mounted in the switching device with a resetting force, which counteracts the closing force, is different than zero in an OPEN position and is formed at least partially by a magnet arrangement with at least one permanent magnet. The magnet arrangement is arranged fixed in position in the switching device outside the magnetic circuit formed from the electromagnet and the magnet armature, and whose resetting force, which acts on the magnet armature, is at a maximum in the OPEN position.