Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of solid state circuit breaker protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a solid state circuit breaker comprising a primary switching device including a first terminal and a second terminal and a voltage clamping circuit coupled in parallel with the primary switching device. The voltage clamping circuit includes a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) coupled in series between the first terminal and an auxiliary semiconductor device, the auxiliary semiconductor device being arranged so as to selectively couple the MOV with the second terminal, and a bypass circuit coupled between the first terminal and the auxiliary semiconductor device.

Abstract: A solid state circuit breaker that may include a metal oxide varistor (MOV) that is connected in series to a thyristor, the MOV to clamp voltage of current flowing through the solid state circuit breaker; the thyristor including a gate to control flow of the current to the MOV along a first path to the MOV; a breakover diode to activate at a target voltage level to allow the current to flow to the MOV along a second path; and a Zener diode to close the gate and allow current to flow along the first path in response to the current on the second path.

Abstract: A circuit protection device is provided. The circuit protection device includes an active energy absorber that is coupled between two power lines in an electrical power distribution system and is configured to selectively conduct fault current responsive to overvoltage conditions. The active energy absorber includes an overvoltage protection module that includes two thyristors that are connected in anti-parallel with one another and a varistor that is connected with the overvoltage protection module as a series circuit. The series circuit including the varistor and the overvoltage protection module is connected between the power lines.

Abstract: Circuit assembly for protecting a unit to be operated from a supply network against surges, comprising an input having a first and a second input connection, which are connected to the supply network, an output to which the unit to be protected can be connected, and a protective circuit which is placed between the first and the second input connections in order to limit the voltage applied thereto, said protective circuit comprising a power semiconductor device. The power semiconductor device includes at least one Zener element between the collector and the gate, or a digital-to-analog converter is placed between the collector and the gate of the power semiconductor device. The protective level of this type of protective circuit can be easily adjusted by setting the clamping voltage for the power semiconductor device.

Abstract: A device includes a first thyristor element configured to be coupled to a first voltage line and a second voltage line, wherein the first voltage line is configured to transmit power in a first phase and the second voltage line is configured to transmit power in a second phase. The device includes a second thyristor element configured to be coupled to the second voltage line and a third voltage line, wherein the third voltage line is configured to transmit power in a third phase. The device includes a third thyristor element configured to be coupled to the first voltage line and the third voltage line.

Abstract: A device having an ESD module is disclosed. The ESD module includes an ESD circuit coupled between first and second rails and a control circuit coupled between the rails and to the ESD circuit. When the control circuit senses an ESD event, it causes the ESD circuit to create a current path between the rails to dissipate ESD current. When no ESD event is sensed, the control circuit ensures that no current path is created between the rails to prevent latch-up.

Abstract: A switching assembly includes a first terminal and a second terminal, a first switch connected to the first terminal, and a second switch connected to the second terminal. The switching assembly further includes a rectifier bridge connected between the first switch and the second switch, and a third switch connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The switching assembly also includes a control unit that selectively opens and closes the first switch, the second switch and the third switch, and selectively turns on and off the rectifier bridge.

Abstract: A circuit for regulating a DC voltage is provided. The circuit includes: a controllable switch system, a resistor, a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The controllable switch system includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first control terminal, and a second control terminal. The controllable switch system is configured to establish an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal, if a first control signal applied to the first control terminal satisfies a first criterion or if a second control signal applied to the second control terminal satisfies a second criterion; A method for regulating a DC voltage and an AC-to-AC-converter are described.

Abstract: A surge protection device has a pulse controlled switch, a pulse generation circuit and an abnormal voltage detection circuit. The surge control switch is connected in series to a power line loop and has at least one control terminal respectively connected to output terminals of the pulse generation circuit and the abnormal voltage detection circuit. An output terminal of the abnormal voltage detection circuit is connected to the power line loop and is located in the back end of the pulse controlled switch. The pulse generation circuit serves to send a pulse to the pulse controlled switch to close the pulse controlled switch and connect to the power line loop. When continuously detecting abnormal voltage in the power line loop, the abnormal voltage detection circuit opens the pulse controlled switch and disconnects from the power line loop so as to protect back-end equipment or circuit.

Abstract: The present provided a novel protection method of direct current converter valve thyristor in discontinuous current mode. In normal operation, the thyristor of converter valve will be triggered normally when thyristor anode and cathode voltage is positive, and thyristor electronics (TE) send pulse. If the discontinuous current happens, the current will over zero and the thyristor will cut off. After that if the forward voltage appears again, the voltage will be too great, more than the thyristor voltage capability. If the thyristor is not triggered immediately, the thyristor will be damaged probably. To ensure converter valve work normally in discontinuous current mode of the direct current transmission system, TE design has automatic re-trigger function to protect thyristor in discontinuous current mode; in triggering interval when forward voltage is up to +100V the thyristor will be re-triggered to ensure thyristor and system work safely and reliably.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for providing an operating DC voltage from a mains voltage, more particularly to operating circuits comprising a clocked electronic converter. Such operating circuits are preferably used for lamps or other light sources. The present invention protects such circuit arrangements from transient mains overvoltages. As soon as a mains overvoltage occurs a diverter switch Th connects the voltage-sensitive switch S11 of the electronic converter to a storage capacitor C12.

Abstract: A valve of a converter of a high-voltage direct current transmission system has a plurality of valve sections, each comprising a plurality of thyristors electrically connected in series, and a surge arrester, which is electrically connected in parallel to the valve. According to the invention, a surge arrester is connected electrically in parallel to each valve section. Thus a thyristor valve of a converter of a high-voltage direct current transmission system is obtained, which does not require control capacitors.

Abstract: An overvoltage suppression system is disclosed, such as for construction equipment, for protecting the construction equipment from overvoltages that may occur in day to day operations. An overvoltage suppression system for construction equipment may have a communication network that includes nodes. A data line may be used to electrically connect the nodes of the communication network. A semiconductor device may be electrically connected with the data line. Also, a frame of the construction equipment may be electrically connected with the semiconductor device, where the frame may be a frame common. The frame common may be adapted to include a common electrical point of the communication network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for providing an operating DC voltage from a mains voltage, more particularly to operating circuits comprising a clocked electronic converter. Such operating circuits are preferably used for lamps or other light sources. The present invention protects such circuit arrangements from transient mains overvoltages. As soon as a mains overvoltage occurs a diverter switch Th connects the voltage-sensitive switch S11 of the electronic converter to a storage capacitor C12.

Abstract: A protection configuration for converter means which comprise a plurality of controllable switches, the protection configuration comprising a protection circuit coupled to the alternating voltage side of the converter means, which protection circuit comprises at least one protective switch configured to short-circuit the alternating voltage side of the converter means, wherein the protection configuration, in predetermined failure situations, is configured to close the protective switch and thus to short-circuit the alternating voltage side of the converter means. After the failure situation has cleared up, the protection configuration is configured to short-circuit the alternating voltage side of the converter means by means of the controllable switches to enhance commutation of the protective switch.

Abstract: Self-quenching switching elements are connected in series in a semiconductor switching device. Snubber circuits including a diode, a capacitor, and a non-linear circuit are connected in parallel with the respective semiconductor switching elements. In the snubber circuit, the diode and the capacitor are connected in series, and the non-linear circuit is connected in parallel with the capacitor. The non-linear circuit includes an impedance element, a Zener diode, and a controlling semiconductor element and draws current through the controlling semiconductor element when applied voltage exceeds the Zener voltage of the Zener diode. The Zener voltage is larger than a divided voltage applied to the semiconductor element during a fault in a power system.

Abstract: A high-speed, solid-state circuit breaker is capable of interrupting high DC currents without generating an arc, and it is maintenance-free. Both the switch and the tripping unit are solid-state, which meet precise protection requirements. The high-speed, solid-state DC circuit breaker uses an emitter turn-off (ETO) thyristor as the switch. The ETO thyristor has an anode, a cathode and first, second and third gate electrodes. The anode is connectable to a source of DC current, and the cathode is connectable to a load. A solid-state trip circuit is connected to the first, second and third gate electrodes for controlling interrpution of DC current to the load by turning off said ETO thyristor.

Abstract: A converter includes building blocks, each building block being a switching unit. Each building block must be able to receive high power at an elevated switching frequency with low power dissipation in semiconductor switches. The building block includes semiconductor switches and a reactor connected in series, and a series connection of a voltage clamp and a diode. The series connection is connected in parallel to each of the semiconductor switches. The clamps are arranged in such a way that all clamping and voltage control is realised by a clamp connected in parallel with the corresponding semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A pnpn thyristor element Thy1 and six pn diode elements D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6 are formed in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, and separated into six regions by a diffusion layer of a second conductivity type which also functions as the anode of the thyristor element Thy1. A double isolation diffusion layer is disposed between the region of the thyristor element Thy1 and three pn diode elements D1 ·D2 and D6, and the region of the three remaining pn diodes D3, D4, and D5. Surface connection is performed to provide a balance type surge protection circuit.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device, for protecting power lines of an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device includes a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) coupled between a first power line and a second power line, and a second SCR coupled anti-parallel to the first SCR between the first and second power lines. A first trigger device is coupled to the first power line and a first trigger gate of the first SCR, and a second trigger device coupled to the second power line and a first trigger gate of the second SCR. The trigger devices and the SCRs provide power-down-mode-compatible operation of the power lines, as well as ESD protection.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting thyristors in a bridge configuration are provided. A circuit comprises a line reactor in series with the input of the bridge and the input of the diametric cell, two leg reactors each in series with a respective leg and an output of the diametric cell. Two snubber circuits in parallel with the two thyristors that comprise the diametric cell may also be used to protect the thyristors.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting thyristors in a bridge configuration are provided. A circuit comprises a line reactor in series with the input of the bridge and the input of the diametric cell, two leg reactors each in series with a respective leg and an output of the diametric cell. Two snubber circuits in parallel with the two thyristors that comprise the diametric cell may also be used to protect the thyristors.

Abstract: An apparatus to sense an SCR short circuit failure and prevent overheating of solid-state power supply equipment, such as a welder, during an occurrence of the short circuit failure is provided. The apparatus includes a detector circuit capable of sensing a short circuit of an SCR in the power supply equipment. The detector circuit senses each voltage of a poly-phase input and generates a fault signal upon substantially simultaneous detection of a zero-cross voltage condition for each phase of the poly-phase input. A control circuit is configured to receive the fault signal of the detector circuit and generate an output to prevent fault current flow through to power supply equipment.

Abstract: A protective device against excessive currents occurring in an electric circuit between a voltage source and a load mounted downstream of said device, comprising a first triggering component with high current sensitivity and adapted to be triggered, rapidly, but reversibly, in case of excessive current in the circuit, and a second triggering component, mounted in parallel with the first, capable of bearing a temporary voltage higher than the power supply voltage, when the first component is triggered, and of being triggered rapidly and reversibly thereafter. The triggering component are preferably conductive polymer components. Also, a triac switch comprising such a protective device mounted upstream of the triac and a third component is mounted on the triac trigger.

Abstract: An IGBT gate driver circuit includes means for detecting when the collector-to-emitter voltage (Vce) of a turned-on IGBT, intended to be operated in the saturation region, increases above a preset level, indicative of a fault condition, such as a short circuit. In response to such an increase in the Vce of a turned on IGBT, the IGBT is turned-off in two steps. First, the turn-on gate drive is decreased to a level that is still above the threshold (turn-on) voltage of the IGBT in order to decrease the current flowing through the IGBT and hence, the peak power dissipation. This decrease in the current through the IGBT and the peak power dissipation increases the length of time the IGBT can withstand a fault condition such as a short circuit. Then, after decreasing the gate drive to the IGBT, the gate drive is gradually decreased until the IGBT is completely turned off.

Abstract: The present invention is a fault tolerant apparatus for regulating the flow of electricity. The apparatus comprises a light radiating circuit which includes a first light source for radiating a first light signal, a second light source for radiating a second light signal and a first light sensor for receiving at least one of the first and second light signals and for generating a first light sensor output signal in response to the first and second light signals. The radiating circuit further includes a control circuit for actuating the first light source to radiate the first light signal when the control circuit receives a control input signal and for actuating the second light source to radiate the second light signal when the control circuit fails to receive the first light sensor output signal from the first light sensor within a predetermined time after the control circuit has received the control input signal.

Abstract: A power converting apparatus comprising a group of semiconductor switches and DC terminals electrically connected to the group of semiconductor switches, in which a clamping circuit is connected to the semiconductor switches or the DC terminals. Otherwise, a diode having a wide band gap is connected in parallel with a snubber diode or a snubber capacitor of a snubber circuit connected in parallel with the semiconductor switches. With such arrangement, an overvoltage or oscillating voltage impressed on the semiconductor switches is suppressed.