Abstract: A power system including an input configured to receive input AC power, a DC output configured to provide output DC power to a load, an AC output configured to provide output AC power to the load, an AC/DC converter coupled to the input and configured to convert the input AC power into DC power, a DC bus, and a controller configured to monitor a current demand at the DC output relative to a demand threshold, operate, in response to a determination that the current demand at the DC output is below the demand threshold, the power system in a first mode of operation by enabling the AC/DC converter to provide DC power to the DC bus, and operate, in response to a determination that the current demand at the DC output is above the demand threshold, the power system in a second mode of operation by disabling the AC/DC converter.

Abstract: This disclosure includes novel ways of implementing a power supply that powers a load. More specifically, a power supply includes a controller. The controller controls operation of a first power converter stage and a second power converter stage to convert an input voltage into an output voltage. For example, the first power converter stage is operative to receive an input voltage and convert the input voltage into an intermediate voltage. The second power converter stage such as a transformer-less switched-capacitor converter is coupled to the first power converter stage. The second power converter stage receives the intermediate voltage and converts the intermediate voltage into an output voltage to power a load.

Abstract: A voltage regulation system can include a voltage regulator, a voltage regulation controller electrically coupled to the voltage regulator, and a multi-use pin configured to be electrically coupled to external circuits (e.g., an external ground, an external compensation circuit, a programmable resistor, an external reference voltage). The voltage regulation system can also include connection devices (e.g., multiple switches, such as transistor switches) configured to be in different connection device configurations, where each one of the connection device configurations enables an associated one of the external circuits via the multi-use pin. The voltage regulation system can also include a smart pin manager configured to determine when the multi-use pin is electrically coupled to one of the external circuits, and to cause the connection devices to be in one of the connection device configurations to enable the associated external circuit based upon the determination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactance-injecting module used to balance the currents among the phases of polyphase electric power transmission lines or to manage power flow among alternate paths, where the reactance-injecting module has high-speed, dedicated communication links to enable the immediate removal of injected reactance from all phases of a phase balancing cluster when a fault is detected on any one of the multiple phases. The reactance-injecting module may communicate information on a detected fault to the other reactance-injecting modules of the phase balancing cluster within 10 microseconds after the fault is detected to allow the phase balancing cluster to eliminate injected reactance from all phases within 1 millisecond after the fault is detected. This provides extremely fast neutralization of injected reactance to minimize interference with fault localization analyses.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves systems and computer implemented methods for implementing a resource allocation. One example method is performed by identifying a resource allocation associated with the device hub, the resource allocation defining an expected resource usage associated with a connected device and a non-connected device. Resource usage information associated with the connected device is monitored, where usage information associated with the non-connected device is calculated based on a difference between a total resource usage identified by the device hub and the resource usage information associated with the connected device. The resource usage information is compared to the resource allocation, and in response to the comparison and a determination that the non-connected device exceeded the resource allocation associated with the non-connected device, an adjustment in operation for the connected device associated with the device hub is calculated.

Abstract: Press-button circuit and a driving method thereof are provided. A press-button circuit includes a first sampling port; a second sampling port; a common terminal; a first control device, coupled to the first sampling port and the second sampling port; at least one first press-button sub-circuit, coupled to the first sampling port and the common terminal; and at least one second press-button sub-circuit, coupled to the second sampling port and the common terminal.

Abstract: A synthetic test circuit for testing a submodule performance in a power compensator includes a submodule test unit which is an object of testing the submodule performance, a current source and a controller. The current source is connected to the submodule test unit to supply a voltage to the submodule test unit such that a charging voltage having a capacity set in the submodule test unit is stored in order to operate the submodule test unit. The controller is configured to perform control to perform a submodule performance test of the submodule test unit using the stored charging voltage.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a motor of a compressor includes a microcontroller that generates a reference current value for a power factor correction (PFC) converter. A programmable logic device (PLD) receives control messages from the microcontroller. The PLD sets a value in an off-time register based on a control message from the microcontroller. The PLD controls a power switch of the PFC converter to turn off in response to receiving a comparison signal indicating that a measured current in the PFC converter exceeds the reference current value. Subsequent to controlling the power switch to turn off, the PLD waits for a period of time determined by the off-time register before controlling the power switch to turn on.

Abstract: An aircraft power generation unit to generate direct current (DC) power provided to a load includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG) that includes first, second, third and fourth sets of windings, each of the winding sets including three windings and a rectifier section with four six pulse rectifiers the produce outputs of Vdc1 to Vdc4 respectively and a common local output bus. The unit also includes an output bus configured to be connected to the load and including a positive output bus rail and a negative output bus rail and a controller that receives an input signal from at least one of the output sets and selectively couples either the common local output bus and fourth rectifier negative rail to the output bus negative rail and one or more of the first to third six-pulse rectifiers to the output bus positive rail to provide a constant voltage to the load.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter having a power source, a load, and a transmission line terminated at one end. A first switch is electrically connected between the power source and the second end of the transmission line. A second switch is electrically connected between the second end of the transmission line and the load and both switches are movable between an open and a closed position. A switch control circuit switches the first and second electric switches between their open and closed positions at a selected high frequency. A plurality of variable impedance elements are electrically connected to the transmission line at spaced intervals while an impedance control circuit is electrically connected to the variable impedance elements to vary the impedance of the impedance elements and thereby vary the voltage applied to the load.

Abstract: This patent discloses an active impedance-injection module for dynamic line balancing of a high-voltage (HV) transmission line. The impedance-injection module comprises a plurality of transformers each having a primary winding in series with a HV transmission line. Each transformer also has secondary windings, each connected to an individual electronic converter. The plurality of secondary windings are electrically isolated from the associated primary winding and extract power from the HV transmission line for operation of the converters and other circuits connected to the secondary windings. The active impedance-injection module is enabled to generate a controlled impedance, inductive or capacitive, to be impressed on the HV transmission line.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting a switch position includes a first node configured to be connected to one phase of a power network, a third node, and a micro-controller. A switch is arranged between the first node and the third node. A resistor is arranged parallel to the switch between the first node and the third node. A connection on the micro-controller is connected to the third node. The micro-controller is programmed to compare a voltage present at the connection against a reference voltage and to determine from this comparison whether the switch is open or closed.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a voltage bounding range defining a range of a wind turbine reference voltage for a wind turbine for controlling an output voltage of the wind turbine at a wind turbine output terminal. The method includes obtaining information regarding an electrical characteristic of a transmission line connecting the wind turbine output terminal to a point of common coupling to which plural other wind turbines are connectable. The method further includes defining the voltage bounding range based on the electrical characteristic of the transmission line.

Abstract: An active damping switching system includes an active damping switching apparatus, including a damping capacitor, a damping resistor coupled to the damping capacitor, an input switch coupled to the damping capacitor, an oscillator coupled to the input switch and configured to open and close the input switch at a frequency, a direct current power source coupled to the active damping switching apparatus, a constant power load and an input filter disposed between the constant power load and the active damping switching apparatus.

Abstract: A transmission line driver and a method for driving the same are provided, in which a composite current source is provided as an input current source, such that an output voltage is fixed. The composite current source includes an internal current source and an external current source. The composite current source is supplied to a single-ended transmission line driver or a differential transmission line driver, such that the output voltage is fixed.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) device for a wireless communication device includes a grounding element, an antenna, a first DC blocking element for cutting off a direct-current (dc) signal route between a grounding terminal of the antenna and the grounding element, a capacitive sensing unit capable of using a radiating element of the antenna to sense an environment capacitance within a specific range, a second DC blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the feed-in element for blocking a dc signal path from the radiating element to the feed-in element, and a high-frequency blocking element electrically connected between the radiating element and the capacitive sensing unit for blocking a high-frequency signal path from the radiating element to the capacitive sensing unit.

Abstract: An active damping switching system includes an active damping switching apparatus, including a damping capacitor, a damping resistor coupled to the damping capacitor, an input switch coupled to the damping capacitor, an oscillator coupled to the input switch and configured to open and close the input switch at a frequency, a direct current power source coupled to the active damping switching apparatus, a constant power load and an input filter disposed between the constant power load and the active damping switching apparatus.

Abstract: A termination network circuit for a differential signal transmitter comprises a plurality of n resistance elements and a plurality of differential signal drivers. A first end of each of the resistance elements is coupled at a common node, where n is an integer value and is the number of conductors used to transmit a plurality of differential signals. Each differential signal driver may include a positive terminal driver and a negative terminal driver. The positive terminal driver is coupled to a second end of a first resistance element while the negative terminal driver is coupled to a second end of a second resistance element. The positive terminal driver and the negative terminal driver are separately and independently switchable to provide a current having a magnitude and direction. During a transmission cycle each of the resistance elements has a current of a different magnitude and/or direction than the other resistance elements.

Abstract: Phase balancing techniques for power transmission systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a phase balancing protocol (240) includes executing a first phase balancing protocol (350) in relation to a first power transmission section (400a). A second phase balancing protocol (370) may be executed if the first phase balancing protocol (350) is unable to provide a phase balanced condition. The first phase balancing protocol (350) may utilize a first ordering sequence (364) to rank the current flow on the power lines (16) of the first power transmission section (400a), while the second phase balancing protocol (370) may utilize a second ordering sequence (384) to rank the current flow on the power lines (16) of the first power transmission section (400a). The order sequences (364, 384) are opposite of each other—one ranks the current flows from high-to-low, and the other ranks the current flow from low-to-high.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for minimizing an inrush current to a load after a voltage sag in a power voltage. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of applying a power voltage to a load, and detecting a sag in the power voltage during steady-state operation of the load. The method includes the steps of adding an impedance to the load upon detection of the sag in the power voltage, and removing the impedance from the load when the power voltage has reached a predefined point in the power voltage cycle after the power voltage has returned to a nominal voltage.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and system for generating a signal with phase angle configuration. The apparatus comprises an array of switch-resistors, each switch resistor to receive a control signal, wherein the array of switch-resistors to generate an output signal; and a circuit to configure phase angle of the output signal. The apparatus can be used for different package and inductor configurations. The apparatus provides flexibility to mitigate switching noise by adjusting phase angles, and provides the ability to enable and disable switch-resistors on the fly without ripples. The apparatus also saves power consumption by selectively turning off switch-resistors when phases are disabled. The output signal of the apparatus has smooth triangular waveforms for improving the quality of power supply generated using the output signal. Overall, the apparatus exhibits reduced sensitivity to process variations compared to traditional signal generators.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are for varying an impedance of a phase line of a segment of a first electrical power line, the phase line including n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus includes at least one controllable switching device for connection with at least one of the conductors. The apparatus also includes a controller for performing control of the at least one controllable switching device, the controller having at least one optical port for receiving first optical signals on which the control is based, and for sending second optical signals to adjacent switching apparatuses, the second optical signals including status information of the one switching apparatus, upon which control of adjacent switching apparatuses is based.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of controlling switch units between a battery pack and a load, and a battery pack and a battery management system comprising the same. The apparatus comprises a memory for storing the turn-off number and order of first and second switch units connecting the battery pack with the load according to current ranges; and a control unit for equalizing the turn-off order of the first switch unit and the second switch unit with reference to the turn-off number and order in a current range corresponding to a magnitude level of discharge current of a battery. Accordingly, the present invention reduces the frequency of breakdown or malfunction of the switch units and increases the using period of the switch units.

Abstract: An inductive wireless power device comprises a transmitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field to a coupling region for wireless power transfer to a receiver, and control logic configured to determine a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer when the receiver is within the coupling region. The control logic also determines a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a comparison of the determined coupling coefficient and an expected coupling coefficient for the wireless power transfer. An inductive wireless power device comprises a receiver configured to couple with an electromagnetic field in a coupling region for inductive wireless power transfer from a transmitter. The receiver is configured to alter a wireless power transfer characteristic of the transmitter for a determination of a presence of a foreign object within the coupling region responsive to a determination of a coupling coefficient of the wireless power transfer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for use in tuning reactance are described. Open loop and closed loop control for tuning of reactances are also described. Tunable inductors and/or tunable capacitors may be used in filters, resonant circuits, matching networks, and phase shifters. Ability to control inductance and/or capacitance in a circuit leads to flexibility in operation of the circuit, since the circuit may be tuned to operate under a range of different operating frequencies.

Abstract: An impedance matching network includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a reference potential terminal. The impedance matching network further includes a first shunt branch between the first terminal and the reference potential terminal, the first shunt branch including a capacitive element. The impedance matching network also includes a second shunt branch between the second terminal and the reference potential terminal, the second shunt branch including an inductive element. Furthermore, the impedance matching network includes a transmission line transformer with a first inductor path and a second inductor path, wherein the first inductor path connects the first terminal and the second terminal. An alternative impedance matching network includes a transformer and an adaptive matching network. The transformer is configured to transform an impedance connected to a first port so that a corresponding transformed impedance lies within a confined impedance region in a complex impedance plane.

Abstract: A semiconductor switching device having a switch circuit is disposed in an environment having a relatively low temperature, with a transformer disposed in an environment having a relatively high temperature. A conduction path extends from a first DC input terminal to a second DC input terminal. An inductor is inserted in a section from a first branch to a second branch in the conduction path, and the switch circuit is inserted in a portion other than the section of the conduction path. A first transmission wire of a transmission line electrically connects the first branch and a first input terminal of a primary winding to each other. A second transmission wire of the transmission line electrically connects the second branch and a second input terminal of the primary winding to each other, and where the excitation inductance of the primary winding is higher than the excitation inductance of the inductor.

Abstract: A shunt switch allowed to improve isolation, a semiconductor device, a module and an electronic device each of which includes the shunt switch are provided. The shunt switch includes: a transmission line, a ground; and a shunt line electrically coupling the transmission line and the ground, in which two or more of the shunt lines are arranged in parallel to one another, and an impedance between the two or more shunt lines is higher than an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of output voltages in a multi-output power supply device for generating a plurality of output powers by using a transformer. The method includes, if a system to which power is supplied from the multi-output power supply device is in a standby mode, blocking any one of at least two output powers of a secondary side of the transformer, wherein the blocked power is supplied to the system; and compensating for a resistance of a feedback circuit connected to a switching controller of a power switch of a primary side of the transformer in relation to one or more unblocked output powers of the transformer and maintaining the output of the unblocked output power to be constant.

Abstract: Methods for receiving a signal and a detection circuit are disclosed. The detection circuit and related methods may be useful for the fast and accurate receiving of data signals. The detection circuit generally comprises a first circuit having a first time constant, a second circuit having (i) a common input with the first circuit and (ii) a second time constant, the second time constant being less than the first time constant, and a switch configured to (i) charge the first circuit with an input signal when the switch is in a first state, and (ii) charge or discharge the second circuit with the input signal when the switch is in a second state, the switch having the second state when the input signal is no longer received at the common input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for impedance compensation in a subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods include the use of a plurality of distributed impedance compensation devices to control the impedance of the subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are inductively coupled to a subsea power transmission cable associated with the subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods also may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are inductively powered by the subsea power transmission cable. These systems and methods further may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are marinised for use under water.

Abstract: A first rectifier diode is electrically connected between a first input terminal where an alternating current (AC) power is received and a first output terminal where a direct current (DC) power is output. A second rectifier diode is electrically connected between the first input terminal and a second output terminal. The first and second rectifier diodes rectify first and second portions of the AC power into the DC power, respectively. When switching of a plurality of power factor correction (PFC) switches is enabled, the plurality of PFC switches increases a voltage of the DC power to greater than a peak voltage of the AC power. An inductor is electrically connected between a second input terminal and two of the plurality of PFC switches. When the switching is disabled, first and second bypass diodes provide a current path past the plurality of PFC switches and the inductor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention s are directed to a wireless power system with different coupling loops, such as two loops. The coupling loops are switched. One can be used for vicinity coupling, e.g., greater than a distance away, the other for proximity coupling, e.g., less than a distance away.

Abstract: A switching device includes: a switching element; an emitter electrode; an emitter terminal for main wiring for connecting the emitter electrode to an external main wiring; a plurality of control emitter terminals interposed in a main current path between the emitter electrode and the emitter terminal for main wiring; and inductances each interposed in the main current path and placed between adjacent ones of the control emitter terminals.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a controlled series compensator including a plurality of reactance elements each having a rapid switch for connecting and disconnecting the reactance in series with an electric power transmission line. The apparatus also includes a steady state power flow controller. A damping controller is provides on the presence of an oscillation on the transmission line a first reactance insertion on the transmission line having a first duration of time trigged by a time instant that coincides with a peak in the power oscillation.

Abstract: A data transmission system forming a network including transmission line sections comprising traditional infrastructure such as AC power line (mains), twisted-pair (e.g. CAT-5) and coaxial cable wiring interconnected with a novel adapter to form a data system also providing data transfer over an extended length and diversity of connected equipment. Further combined with a data bridge connected to conventional format data (e.g. Ethernet) and to the traditional data infrastructure wiring, the novel adapter permits connection to any 2 of twisted pair/multi-pair, coaxial and power mains for data flow therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-output power supply device includes a first power switch, a first switch controller that controls the first power switch, a transformer that transforms a power supplied from the first power switch, first through Nth output circuits connected to a secondary side of the transformer, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, a second power switch that switches the power output from one of the first through Nth output circuits, a second switch controller that controls the second power switch, a feedback circuit that feeds back output voltages of the first through Nth output circuits, and a feedback compensation circuit that performs a switching operation complementarily with the second power switch to compensate for a resistance of the feedback circuit. Accordingly, when power output to one of the output circuits is blocked, the multi-output power supply device can stably control the power output to the other output circuits.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for minimizing an inrush current to a load after a voltage sag in a power voltage. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising the steps of applying a power voltage (100) to a load (246), and detecting a sag in the power voltage (106) during steady-state operation of the load. The method includes the steps of adding an impedance (RT) to the load upon detection of the sag in the power voltage, and removing the impedance when the power voltage has reached a predetermined point in the power voltage cycle after the voltage has returned to normal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discharging a high-voltage bus coupled to a discharge circuit are provided. A method comprises obtaining a first voltage level of the high-voltage bus. The method further comprises determining a first discharge time based on the first voltage level and activating the discharge circuit. The method further comprises obtaining a second voltage level of the high-voltage bus after the first discharge time, comparing the first voltage level and the second voltage level, and deactivating the discharge circuit if a difference between the first voltage level and the second voltage level is less than a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric signal outputting apparatus in a serial electric transmission system. The electric signal outputting apparatus includes a switching part for switchably generating high and low output signals in accordance with signal data and transmitting the output signals to a transmission path, an impedance matching part for matching an output impedance to the impedance of the transmission path, and an auxiliary switching part for subsidiarily supplying current to an output node in the transmission path and subsidiarily absorbing current from the output node in the transmission path when the switching part switches the generation between high and low output signals, wherein the auxiliary switching part conducts the supplying and the absorbing for a period shorter than a pulse width of a reference clock of the serial electric transmission system.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to implement a circuit arrangement, which in rated operation without resonance generates as little power loss as possible, but on suitable excitation effects a disproportionate asymmetrical damping, so that resonances and overvoltages associated with them are avoided. The object is attained by using a damping member 5a, b, c, which effects the damping in proportion to a primary circuit parameter. The advantage is the adaptive performance of a power grid filter equipped with the choke of the invention.

Abstract: A method to incorporate the steady-state model of the generalized power flow controller into a Newton-Raphson power flow algorithm adopts a flexible steady-state model of the generalized power flow controller, which can be applied to calculate the power flow solution of a power grid embedded with STATCOM, UPFC, GUPFC and the generalized power flow controller in a single framework. The method only incorporates the control variables of the shunt voltage sourced converter into the state vector of the Newton-Raphson power flow algorithm. The increment of the state variables due to incorporating the generalized power flow controller is less than the prior art. Further, the method can preserve the quadratic convergence characteristic of the Newton-Raphson power flow algorithm after embedding the generalized power flow controller into a power grid.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device provides a choice of external pins (connections) that may be user selectable for coupling an external filter/stabilization capacitor to an internal voltage regulator. However, connecting the output of a internal voltage regulator to an uncharged external filter/stabilization capacitor (or to a capacitor charged to a different voltage level than the internal regulation voltage) through a low impedance path can cause the regulator output voltage to sag/spike if the internal voltage regulator tries to charge/discharge the capacitor up/down to equilibrium with the regulator output voltage. To minimize this potential sag/spike, the voltage on the external filter/stabilization capacitor may be adjusted in a controlled manner to substantially the same voltage as the voltage on the output of the internal voltage regulator, and then the internal voltage regulator is operationally coupled through a low impedance to the external regulator filter/stabilization capacitor.

Abstract: A multi-output power supply device includes a first power switch, a first switch controller that controls the first power switch, a transformer that transforms a power supplied from the first power switch, first through Nth output circuits connected to a secondary side of the transformer, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, a second power switch that switches the power output from one of the first through Nth output circuits, a second switch controller that controls the second power switch, a feedback circuit that feeds back output voltages of the first through Nth output circuits, and a feedback compensation circuit that performs a switching operation complementarily with the second power switch to compensate for a resistance of the feedback circuit. Accordingly, when power output to one of the output circuits is blocked, the multi-output power supply device can stably control the power output to the other output circuits.

Abstract: A method for detecting inductive elements in a communication line, including the processes of: inputting a detecting signal to an end of the communication line; sampling the time domain voltage vector of one end of the communication line; generating the amplitude-frequency characteristic curve of the differential input impedance of one end of the communication line according to the time domain voltage vector; determining the number of the inductive elements in the communication line according to the number of the apexes or zeros on the curve. The present invention also discloses a device for detecting inductive elements in a communication line. By the present invention, the automatic detections of the number of inductive elements such as load coils or phone splitters in the communication line are implemented with the exact detection and the high efficiency, thereby lowering the cost of detecting failures of communication line.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of controlling switch units between a battery pack and a load, and a battery pack and a battery management system comprising the same. The apparatus comprises a memory for storing the turn-off number and order of first and second switch units connecting the battery pack with the load according to current ranges; and a control unit for equalizing the turn-off order of the first switch unit and the second switch unit with reference to the turn-off number and order in a current range corresponding to a magnitude level of discharge current of a battery. Accordingly, the present invention reduces the frequency of breakdown or malfunction of the switch units and increases the using period of the switch units.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that produces a small-step switchable capacitor, which can have steps that are smaller in value than the smallest capacitor used in the system. In one embodiment, an input signal is connected to a switchable capacitor system that includes at least one and/or a plurality of small-step, switchable capacitors. In an example embodiment, a capacitor system may be provided that includes a first capacitance block coupled in series with a second capacitance block. In an example embodiment, the second capacitance block may include one or more switchable capacitors to provide a step in capacitance for the capacitor system between a first setting and a second setting using the one or more switchable capacitors. Also, in an example embodiment, the step in capacitance of the capacitor system may be determined based, at least in part, on a ratio of the capacitance of the second capacitance block to the capacitance of the first capacitance block.

Abstract: Provided is a method and device for assessing and monitoring voltage security in a power system. More specifically, a method and device for assessing and monitoring the value of reactive power load when changes in reactive power outputs of at least some of the generators in the electrical power system cause all of the generators in the system to reach the combined operating limit of their reactive power output. In response thereto, the method and device are further adapted to initiate suitable control measures such as switching of transformer banks and/or capacitor/reactor banks, as well as shedding loads whenever necessary to mitigate an impending voltage stability problem.

Abstract: A disk drive system includes a fixed output voltage regulator including an output terminal that provides a substantially fixed output voltage. A pluralities of loads are connected in parallel. A resistor is connected in series between the output terminal of the voltage regulator and the plurality of loads. The resistor causes a voltage provided to the plurality of loads to sag, as compared to the substantially fixed output voltage, when current is pulled, by one or more of the loads, through the resistor.

Abstract: A leak detector pad comprising a circuit board having a bottom surface and a top surface, spaced first and second electrically conductive traces located on the bottom surface, and an electronic circuit mounted on the top surface. The circuit includes a first segment adapted to create an alternating current (AC) voltage waveform, a second segment adapted to apply the AC voltage waveform between the traces on the bottom surface of the circuit board, a third segment adapted to create a measure of a capacitance between the traces based upon an AC current flowing between the traces as a result of the AC voltage waveform, and a fourth segment adapted to create a direct current (DC) voltage alarm signal if the measure of capacitance provided by the third segment indicates the presence of fluid.