Abstract: A subsea variable speed drive apparatus comprising a pressure resistant container (90) comprising a curved wall section having a curved, internal surface (90a); and a variable speed drive comprising at least one power electronics module (50) arranged inside the container and held at a predetermined ambient pressure. The at least one power electronics module is mounted on a heatsink (40) which is mounted on the internal surface, the heatsink comprising a curved surface (40b) contacting the internal surface and having a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the internal surface. A subsea hydrocarbon fluid pumping system comprising such subsea variable speed drive apparatuses and a related method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving interposers to include embedded monitoring instruments for real time monitoring digital signals, analog signals, voltage signals and temperature sensors located in the interposer. An embedded monitor trigger unit controls the starting and stopping of the real time monitoring operations. The embedded monitoring instruments are accessible via an 1149.1 TAP interface on the interposer.

Abstract: A first leg includes a first switch circuit disposed between a first node to which a positive electrode of a DC power supply is connected and a second node and a second switch circuit disposed between the second node and a third node. A first filter circuit includes a first capacitor. A bridge circuit includes a second leg and a third leg that are disposed in parallel between the first node and the third node. A clamp circuit includes a bidirectional switch disposed between a fourth node that is a midpoint of the second leg and a fifth node that is a midpoint of the third leg. A second filter circuit includes a first reactor and a second reactor.

Abstract: A control system includes a plurality of subsystems each operative to perform a unique vehicle function, a plurality of electronic controllers each operative to individually control at least one of the plurality of subsystems, wherein a number of subsystems is greater than a number of controllers, and a plurality of switching devices each operative to selectively connect any one of the plurality of subsystems to any one of the plurality of electronic controllers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by an auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources. The method also includes determining, by the auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices. The method further includes managing, by the auxiliary power controller, transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices.

Abstract: A self-regulating battery may generate a basis state for one or more modules using one or more system inputs. The system inputs comprise current, voltage, and battery degradation. The battery generates a family of weighted forecasts for future bus demands using usage and performance based weights. The battery generates one or more plans to support demand from the battery using the weighted forecasts. The battery scores the one or more plans based on efficiency of power extraction from the battery, and combines the scored one or more plans with an updated SoH value based on induced degradation from a usage plan. The battery generates the combined scored for each of the one or more plans, and transmits one of the combined scored to the battery management unit for execution.

Abstract: A power supply device, a power supply management module and method are provided. The power supply device includes a power supply management module. The power supply management module includes a first and a second power supply module, a detection unit, and a switching control module. The first power supply module includes a first alternating current input end, a first rectifier circuit, and a first switch unit. A first end of the first switch unit is connected to the first rectifier circuit. The second power supply module includes a second alternating current input end, a second rectifier circuit, and a second switch unit. A third end and a fourth end of the second switch unit are connected to the second rectifier circuit and a second end of the first switch unit, respectively. The switching control module controls the first and the second switch unit according to a detection signal.

Abstract: A hot-swap controller regulates the supply of power from an input node to a load coupled to an output node. The controller includes at least one limiting circuit configured to control a first switch connected between the input node and the load to limit an output current of the first switch for application to the load. A control logic circuit determines a state of the first switch and outputs a local state signal, and a communication circuit responsive to the local state signal establishes a voltage or current level corresponding to the local state at a communication circuit output. A communication terminal is also provided that is responsive to the communication output and that is adapted to connect to a second communication terminal of a second hot-swap controller to communicate the local state to the second hot-swap controller.

Abstract: A defect detector can receives voltage data characterizing a three-phase voltage for each of a plurality of feeder lines. The defect detector generates an alert indicating that a potential defect exists at a switch upstream of the plurality of feeder lines in response to the voltage data indicating (i) a drop in two or more phases of voltage at a given feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines occurred within a predetermined amount of time of toggling of the switch or (ii) a drop in two or more phases of voltage on at least two or more feeder lines of the plurality of feeder lines has occurred.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recloser control that provides autosynchronization of a microgrid to an area electric power system (EPS). For example, a recloser control may include an output connector that is communicatively coupled to a recloser at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the area EPS and the microgrid. The recloser control may include a processor that acquires a first set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the area EPS and acquires a second set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the microgrid. The recloser control may send synchronization signals to one or more distributed energy resource (DER) controllers to synchronize one or more DERs to the area EPS based on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatic, dynamically adjusted operation of load-sharing gensets. An example of such operation may include determining an updated genset-removal load based on a genset-addition load, an initial genset-removal load, a human-selected one of predetermined levels of dynamism, and the number of operating ones of the gensets. An operating genset is halted in response to the actual loads of each operating genset simultaneously being at or below the updated genset-removal load. In another example, while two or more gensets are operating, an updated genset-removal load is determined based on the genset-addition load and a hysteresis setpoint, and an operating genset is halted in response to actual loads of each operating genset simultaneously being at or below the updated genset-removal load.

Abstract: A method for locating an electrical arc fault upstream or downstream of an electrical protection device connected in series in an electrical circuit between an electrical energy source and an electrical load, the source supplying a supply current to the electrical load. The method includes the measurement of several electrical quantities linked to the supply current, the detection of a simultaneous variation of at least two electrical quantities linked to the supply current, the confirmation of the presence of the arc fault, and the determination of the position of the arc fault upstream or downstream of the protection device. Also, a protection device can implement such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radar system for a vehicle, a method for controlling a radar system, a computer program product, and a vehicle comprising such a radar system. The radar system comprises an antenna arrangement for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves, a power supply connected to the antenna arrangement, the power supply being arranged to supply the antenna arrangement with operating power. The radar system further comprises an antenna controller connected to the antenna arrangement, the antenna controller being configured to control an operation of the antenna arrangement.

Abstract: Provided is a battery energy storage grid-load interactive method, terminal, system and medium for superimposed control. The method includes: receiving, by the battery energy storage grid-load interactive terminal, a load shedding instruction sent by a master station; sending, by the battery energy storage grid-load interactive terminal, the load shedding instruction to the power conversion system to enable the power conversion system to switch the operating state of the power conversion system from a charging state or a standby state or a discharging state to a maximum power discharging state according to the load shedding instruction; and sending, by the battery energy storage grid-load interactive terminal, the load shedding instruction to the energy managing system to enable the energy managing system to control the power conversion system.

Abstract: An automatic power switching system includes a first power interface module coupled to a first power supply terminal for obtaining a first power signal, a second power interface module coupled to a second power supply terminal for obtaining a second power signal, a power input identification module for identifying whether the first power signal meets a requirement, a power output module for receiving the first power signal or the second power signal and for providing a corresponding power signal to a power consumption module, and a switch module for turning on the second power interface module and the power output module when confirming the first power signal not meeting the requirement.

Abstract: A bias circuit includes one or more first Zener diodes electrically coupled to a member provided in a replacement unit, the one or more first Zener diodes being coupled in series. When the replacement unit is removably attached to a main unit including a power supply that has one or more second Zener diodes coupled in series, the first Zener diodes are electrically coupled to the second Zener diodes in parallel to change a bias voltage to be applied to the member, the bias voltage being supplied by the power supply. A total absolute value of breakdown voltages across the first Zener diodes is lower than a total absolute value of breakdown voltages across the second Zener diodes.

Abstract: A method determines the topology of a DERs system having a plurality of assets, where at least one of the assets is a controllable asset. The method injects a power signal at a given frequency from a controllable asset into the DERs system. The voltage at each of the plurality of assets is measured, and the magnitude of perturbation of the voltage at the given frequency is determined for each of the plurality of assets. The method then constructs the topology of the DERs system as a function of the differences of the magnitude of perturbations of each of the plurality of assets.

Abstract: A design method for the current controller of a grid connected inverter is discussed in this disclosure. The repetitive control strategy is used, in tandem with a mu-synthesis based current controller, to attain sinusoidal reference tracking and harmonic rejection. Mu-synthesis based control is chosen to attain reference tracking in the presence of plant uncertainties. The repetitive control strategy is selected since it can reject a large number of harmonics simultaneously, while providing a clean sinusoidal current waveform to the grid, even in the presence of grid load and/or voltage distortions. The repetitive control strategy is implemented via the internal model principle. By applying mu-synthesis principles, a feedback controller that simultaneously achieves stability and tracking performance is obtained.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine comprising inputting an actual value of rotational speed and a rotational speed setpoint into a control and outputting a set point value for a generator torque from the control. Inputting the set point value for the generator torque into a limiter with a predefinable upper and lower limit and outputting a limited torque value that is fed into a converter control. Increasing the actual value of the fed-in electrical power by an additional amount of power in response to a boost signal, wherein the fed-in electrical power and the additional amount of power are combined into an aggregated power setpoint value. Determining the set point value for the generator torque from the aggregated power setpoint value and applying the set point value for the generator torque in the boost operation to the limiter both as the upper limit and as the lower limit.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a consolidated power-on-reset system (PORS) at a system-on-chip (SoC) level. In an illustrative example, an integrated circuit may include a first power domain and a second power region. A level shifter circuit may be coupled to translate data from the first power domain to the second power domain. A PORS including a voltage detection circuit, a glitch filter circuit, and logic gates may be configured to generate isolation signals between the first power domain and the second power domain. The level shifter circuit may be enabled in response to the generated isolation signals. By using the isolation signals, multiple power domains on IC may be managed comprehensively during power-up to avoid unstable operation.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply circuit, a detection circuit, and a control circuit. The power supply circuit is configured to output a supply voltage. The detection circuit is configured to sequentially provide a first predetermined resistance and a second predetermined resistance according to a plurality of switching signals, in order to operate with an electronic device and the supply voltage to sequentially obtain a first detection voltage and a second detection voltage. The control circuit is configured to generate the switching signals, and determine a load resistance of the electronic device according to the first detection voltage and the second detection voltage. The control circuit is further configured to determine whether the load resistance is within a predetermined resistance range, and the power supply circuit is further configured to drive the electronic device if the load resistance is within the predetermined resistance range.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods enabling a user to receive feedback regarding a computer-implemented design of an architectural structure as the user is designing or otherwise modifying the computer-implemented design using a computer-aided design (CAD) software tool. The feedback (hereafter also referred to as “design feedback”) may provide the user with useful analysis information regarding the architectural structure's predicted characteristics (e.g., operational performance, resource consumption, cost, etc.) based on the current state of the computer-implemented design. In particular, heating and cooling loads associated with the computer-implemented design of the architectural structure can be visually displayed to the user in real or near-real-time along with the relationships to contributing factors that impact the heating and cooling loads.

Abstract: A method for controlling an active power in a wind farm having at least two wind turbines that supply active power comprises inputting a setpoint value for the active power of the wind farm into a wind farm model. The wind farm model outputs a modeled active power setpoint value. A system deviation is determined and input into a power controller, which outputs a controller manipulated variable. A feedforward control manipulated variable is determined independently of states of the wind farm or the active power. An overall manipulated variable is determined for the wind farm as the sum of the controller manipulated variable and the feedforward control manipulated variable. A correction value is determined based on the difference between the actual value of the active power and the modeled active power setpoint value and input into the wind farm model.

Abstract: We describe a photovoltaic power conditioning unit for delivering power from multiple photovoltaic panels to an ac mains power supply output, comprising: a dc input for receiving power from multiple photovoltaic panels; an ac output for delivering ac power to the ac supply; a bank of electrolytic energy storage capacitors for storing energy from the dc source for delivery to the ac supply; a dc-to-ac converter coupled to the ac output and having an input coupled to the bank for converting energy stored in the bank to ac power for the ac supply; and further comprising: a plurality of sense and control circuits, one for each capacitor in the bank, wherein each circuit is coupled in series with a capacitor, and is configured to disconnect the associated capacitor from the bank upon detection of a current flow through the associated capacitor of greater than a threshold current value.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device may transmit power wirelessly to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may be a portable electronic device with an array of wireless power receiving coils that receive wireless power from wireless power transmitting coils in the wireless power transmitting device. Each receiving coil in the array of wireless power receiving coils may be coupled to a respective rectifier. Control circuitry of the wireless power receiving device may be configured to determine which rectifiers to enable for synchronous rectification. The control circuitry may be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the alternating-current voltages produced by each coil in the array of receiving coils. The control circuitry may also be configured to enable at least one rectifier based on the output current from each rectifier.

Abstract: Methods of starting a wind turbine from a standstill substantially until generator connection, the wind turbine having a rotor with one or more blades, a pitch system for rotating the blades along their longitudinal axes and a generator operationally connected with the rotor. In standstill, the blades are substantially in a feathered position and the generator is not generating electrical power. The methods may comprise measuring the wind speed representative for the wind turbine and measuring the rotor speed of the wind turbine, and when the rotor speed is not equal to zero, determining the tip speed ratio for the wind turbine, and determining the pitch angle of the blades as a function of the tip speed ratio to optimize the torque produced by the blades of the wind turbine rotor.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for providing electrical power to a power consuming device or a power conversion device from at least one of a first AC power source and a second AC power source. The power supply apparatus comprises controllable rectifier devices associated with each of the first and second AC power sources. The controllable rectifier devices are controllable to simultaneously rectify and control the power provided by the first and second AC power sources.

Abstract: An insulation fault locating system using branch-selective feeding and a selective insulation monitoring system for a branched IT system is composed of multiple subsystems. For insulation fault location, a differential current measuring device, a test signal generator and a blocking device are arranged in each subsystem. The insulation monitoring device additionally includes a selective decoupling device arranged in each subsystem. Furthermore, a method determines a cross impedance between two subsystems on the basis of the insulation monitoring system.

Abstract: Energy management methods and systems based on financial impact are disclosed herein, wherein an energy management system at a site monitors metered energy consumption, establishes a peak consumption level, determines whether energy consumption will result in an increased peak consumption level, and if it will, calculates the financial value and costs of mitigating an increase in the peak consumption level, including an increase in demand charge prospectively avoided, and mitigates the peak in consumption to the peak consumption level using an energy storage system or other energy providing device if the value of mitigating the peak offsets the inherent costs. Embodiments may further use confidence factors or incremental changes to a peak consumption level to optimize the process and utilize energy devices to their greatest effectiveness.

Abstract: A central control apparatus may include a controller that includes a control program that when executed collecting data to obtain predicted environmental data including weather information about a target control area, setting information based on the collect data about at least one facility within the target control area, and simulating energy usage to generate a facility model based on the collected data of the at least one facility information and simulating power consumption of the facility model according to a control scenario. Additionally, the simulating of the energy usage may include determining energy reduction of the facility or target control area based on a simulation result of the power consumption of the facility model according to a combination of at least one control scenario, and determining the combination of at least one control scenario based on the energy reduction rate input through the input unit.

Abstract: An AC circuit PLC injection module of a PLC-enabled power and data distribution system (300) includes: an AC power input (307) to receive an AC power signal; a PLC transceiver circuit (430/440) to couple a PLC signal onto the AC power signal; an AC circuit (411) to supply the AC power and the PLC signal; and a PLC blocking line filter (450) to filter the PLC signal from passing to the AC power input. An associated method for a system having plural PLC transmitters connected to plural PLC enabled devices via plural AC circuits each associated with one of the PLC transmitters, includes: setting PLC network IDs for each of the PLC enabled devices to a default PLC network ID, and then assigning each of the PLC enabled devices connected to each of the PLC transmitters to a PLC network ID uniquely assigned that PLC transmitter.

Abstract: A turbo-machine, which can be operated in an optimized driving range is provided. To this end, a method for operating a turbo-machine having at least one turbo-machine stage, which has at least one rotary shaft is disclosed. According to the method, the following method steps are carried out: a) determining a desired efficiency characteristic value ?soll of the turbomachine stage; b) determining an actual efficiency characteristic value ?ist of the turbo-machine-stage; c) determining a comparison efficiency characteristic value of the turbo-machine stage by comparing the actual efficiency characteristic value ?ist and the desired efficiency characteristic value ?soll to one another; and d) changing at least one operating parameter of the turbo-machine stage subject to the comparison efficiency characteristic value ?vgl, wherein in order to determine the actual efficiency characteristic value ?ist, a measuring of a torque of the rotary shaft of the turbo-machine-stage is carried out.

Abstract: A method of operating a variable speed wind turbine as a function of a wind speed is disclosed. The method comprises following a power curve describing the operation of the wind turbine as a function of wind speed in steady-state conditions. The method further comprises changing the pitch angles of the blades in transient conditions in which the wind turbine cannot follow the power curve in the second operational range.

Abstract: A method for verifying interconnection of a PSE and PD with 4-pair PoE capabilities includes performing a first classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting a first predetermined class current on first and second sets of twisted pairs, respectively. The method includes performing a second classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting first and second predetermined class currents on first and second pairs, respectively. After expiration of a first variable delay period related to a first pseudo-random variable of the PSE, the method includes performing a third classification event on the first pair and detecting a first derived class current on the first pair. After expiration of a second variable delay period related to a second pseudo-random variable of the PD, the method includes performing the third classification event on the second pair and detecting a second derived class current on the second pair.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a protection circuit interconnected with an input voltage to the power supply. The protection circuit includes a detection circuit to detect whether a magnitude of the input voltage is below a defined threshold. The detection circuit comprises a plurality of detectors, each for detecting for a defined voltage waveform, whether its magnitude is below a defined threshold voltage. Logic interconnects the detection circuit to provide a control signal for inhibiting the power supply from providing said output voltage if the input voltage is below the defined threshold for that defined voltage waveform, as detected by the detection circuit.

Abstract: A power management circuit and a method for operating a power management circuit are described. In one embodiment, a power management circuit includes power switching modules. Power is supplied to each of the power switching modules by at least one of multiple power sources. Each of the power switching modules includes a latch circuit configured to have a definite state at power-up of a corresponding power source and a logic circuit configured to control power supplied from the corresponding power source in response to the definite state of the latch circuit, where the logic circuit includes a cross-coupled circuit. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for sinking maintain power signature (MPS) current to a rectifier bridge from a powered device (PD) controller in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network is disclosed. In one or more implementations, the system includes a rectifier bridge configured to electrically connect to Power over Ethernet power sourcing equipment for receiving power from the power sourcing equipment. The system also includes a powered device controller operatively connected to the rectifier bridge and configured to control power supplied to a load. The load is configured to receive power from the power sourcing equipment and a second power source. The powered device controller is configured to source maintain power signature current to the power sourcing equipment using an input of the rectifier bridge when the second power source is furnishing power to the load.

Abstract: It is described a method for coupling plural wind turbines to a utility grid after the wind turbines have been disconnected from the utility grid, the method comprising: closing a main breaker arranged between the utility grid and a main transformer resulting in reactive current flowing from the utility grid to the main transformer; closing a first feeder switch arranged between the main transformer and a first group of wind turbines of the plural wind turbines; selecting a first reference voltage; operating first converters of the first group of wind turbines in a voltage control mode according to the first reference voltage; and closing a second feeder switch.

Abstract: A method for verifying interconnection of a PSE and PD with 4-pair PoE capabilities includes performing a first classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting a first predetermined class current on first and second sets of twisted pairs, respectively. The method includes performing a second classification event on first and second pairs, respectively, and detecting first and second predetermined class currents on first and second pairs, respectively. After expiration of a first variable delay period related to a first pseudo-random variable of the PSE, the method includes performing a third classification event on the first pair and detecting a first derived class current on the first pair. After expiration of a second variable delay period related to a second pseudo-random variable of the PD, the method includes performing the third classification event on the second pair and detecting a second derived class current on the second pair.

Abstract: A power measurement system for multiple power sources includes a plurality of measurement apparatuses, a multiplexer, and a processing module. Each of the measurement apparatuses has a sense resistor and a sense amplifier. The sense resistor is electrically connected to a power source at one terminal thereof and electrically connected to a load at the other terminal thereof. The sense amplifier receives a voltage difference across the sense resistor, amplifies the voltage difference by a gain value, and outputs an amplified sense voltage. The multiplexer receives the amplified sense voltages and outputs one of the amplified sense voltages. The processing module receives the one amplified sense voltage outputted from the multiplexer and calculates an output power of the power source according to the one amplified sense voltage. Furthermore, a method of operating the power measurement system is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching between voltages are provided. One system includes an output, first and second switches coupled to the output. The system also includes a first transmission gate coupled to the first switch and a second transmission gate coupled to the second switch. One method includes receiving, at the first transmission gate, a first pair of complementary voltages and receiving, at the second transmission gate, a second pair of complementary voltages. The method further includes selecting the smallest voltage amongst both pairs of complementary voltages and outputting a third pair of complementary voltages. In one method, the first pair of complementary voltages includes a first negative voltage and a positive voltage, the second pair of complementary voltages includes a second negative voltage and the positive voltage, and the third pair of complementary voltages includes the smaller of the first and second negative voltages and the positive voltage.

Abstract: A power distribution grid comprising a plurality of cells configured to be electrically connected to each other and a power management system. A cell in the plurality of cells is configured to distribute electrical energy to an area corresponding to the cell. The cell has a plurality of entry nodes configured to allow the electrical energy to flow into the cell. The power management system is configured to manage a distribution of the electrical energy to the area by the cell independently of the distribution of the electrical energy to other areas by other cells in the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a rectifying unit configured to rectify an input alternating voltage, a storage unit configured to smooth the voltage rectified by the rectifying unit and store as a DC voltage, a pulse signal generation unit configured to generate a pulse signal from the DC voltage stored in the storage unit, and a detection unit configured to detect that a commercial alternating current power supply has been turned off based on the pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation unit.

Abstract: A power converter includes a first power input to receive AC input power, a second power input to receive backup power, a first DC bus configured to provide a positive DC output voltage, a second DC bus configured to provide a negative DC output voltage, and a power conversion circuit coupled to the first DC bus and the second DC bus. The power conversion circuit has an inductor, a first switch device coupled in series with the inductor, a second switch device coupled in series with the first switch device, and a bypass relay coupled in parallel with the second switch device. The power conversion circuit is switchably coupled to the first power input and the second power input, and is operable to charge the inductor and generate the positive and negative DC output voltages.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing power with an uninterruptible power supply are provided. The uninterruptible power supply includes a first input to receive an input AC voltage from a power source, the input AC voltage having an associated phase angle, and a second input to receive an input voltage from a backup power source. The uninterruptible power supply also includes an output. The output provides output power derived from power from at least one of the power source and the backup power source. The uninterruptible power supply also includes an inverter coupled to the backup power source, a relay and a controller. The relay is configured to couple the first input with the output in a first position, and to couple the inverter with the output in a second position.

Abstract: The battery pack that recognizes operation voltage of a corresponding device according to a unique resistance of the connected device and sensed through a third external terminal of the battery pack, the battery pack having a plurality of cells that can be coupled in series or in parallel to be suitable for an operation voltage of the corresponding device. The battery pack can be sold to a consumer to enable the consumer to power a variety of different electrical appliances. Alternatively, the battery pack can be incorporated into a chassis of an electrical apparatus so that the battery pack can be sold to many different manufacturers of electrical appliances.

Abstract: A power Y-adapter provides power at a high voltage to an output end from at least two input ends to which power of a lower voltage and a phase difference is provided and includes a first polarity sensitive current isolation device, a second polarity sensitive current isolation device, a control section, and an output section. When the voltage signals supplied to the hot wire terminals of the first input connector and the second input connector sufficiently are out of phase, the Y-adapter can produce a voltage of higher magnitude between the first and the second hot wire terminals of the output connector.

Abstract: An appliance including an electrically-powered system, a primary power input, and an auxiliary power input is provided. The electrically-powered system is disposed within a housing. The primary power input is configured to supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered system. However, the housing generally hampers access to the primary power input after installation of the appliance. Therefore, the auxiliary power input, which is also configured to supply electrical energy to the electrically-powered system, is readily accessible relative to the primary power input after installation of the appliance.

Abstract: Devices and methods for electrically decoupling a solar module from a solar system are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules coupled with an inverter through a DC power line. An AC input is coupled with the DC power line. A device is also included and is configured to provide a closed circuit for one of the plurality of solar modules if an AC signal voltage from the AC input is present on the DC power line, and is configured to provide an open circuit for the one of the plurality of solar modules if no AC signal voltage from the AC input is present on the DC power line.

Abstract: A microcomputer includes a first switch coupled between a main power supply terminal and a power supply node, and a second switch coupled between an auxiliary power supply terminal and the power supply node. The microcomputer compares a voltage V1 of the main power supply terminal with a reference voltage VR1. When V1>VR1, the microcomputer turns on the first switch and turns off the second switch, and when V1<VR1, the microcomputer turns off the first switch, and turns on/off the second switch to gradually increase a voltage V3 of the power supply node. Thus, the operation of a clock generation circuit driven by V3 can be stable even when V3 is changed from V1 to V2.