Abstract: An apparatus for use in a solar power plant including a plurality of photovoltaic panels, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of power conditioning units adapted to collect DC power at a panel voltage from the photovoltaic panels, and to pass the DC power to an intermediate power transfer line, such as cabling, and a common inverter unit adapted to receive the DC power from the power conditioning units through the intermediate power transfer line and to convert the DC power into AC power for output. A corresponding method of operation is described. The apparatus may be used to provide a steady AC power output during periods of low DC power collection.

Abstract: A control arrangement that includes an inductor of small inductance and having an input side and an output side, the input side being connected to an input line connected, in use, to an output from a power supply, and the output side being connected to an output line connected, in use, to a load. A switched capacitor arrangement is located at the input side of the inductor, the switched capacitor arrangement being arranged such that an average voltage on the input line is maintained above a predetermined level during use of the control arrangement.

Abstract: An electrical conversion apparatus for use in current shaping comprising at least two capacitors connected in series between first and second lines, a first diode connected in parallel across the first capacitor, a second diode connected in parallel across the second capacitor, and a constant current device connected in series with the first and second capacitors.

Abstract: A DC-DC conversion scheme is described and includes a main inductor connected in series with a first circuit leg and a second circuit leg, the first and second circuit legs being arranged in parallel with one another. Each circuit leg includes a first inductor, a second inductor and a third inductor arranged in series with a primary switch, a first switched ground connection being connected to a location between the first and second inductors, and a second switched ground connection being connected to a location between the second and third inductors. The first, second and third inductors of the first and second legs are wound upon a common core.

Abstract: A monitoring arrangement is described for monitoring a parameter value associated with an AC supply in a distribution network. The monitoring arrangement includes a sensor electrically connected, in use, to the network or otherwise monitoring the network, and a control unit operable to use the output of the sensor to determine a phase offset value relative to a predetermined phase offset value, and to use the difference in the phase offset values in controlling the operation of a load or device.

Abstract: A flyback converter and forward converter is described that include an input coil, a primary switch connected in series with the input coil, and an output coil magnetically coupled to the input coil. The input coil has an input side connected to an input of the circuit and a switch side connected to the primary switch. The converter further includes an input side clamp circuit, the input side clamp circuit including an energy store and a switch arrangement controlled such that the leakage inductance energy stored, in use, in the energy store, can be discharged to the input side of the input coil.

Abstract: A DC-DC conversion scheme is described and includes a main inductor connected in series with a first circuit leg and a second circuit leg, the first and second circuit legs being arranged in parallel with one another. Each circuit leg includes a first inductor, a second inductor and a third inductor arranged in series with a primary switch, a first switched ground connection being connected to a location between the first and second inductors, and a second switched ground connection being connected to a location between the second and third inductors. The first, second and third inductors of the first and second legs are wound upon a common core.

Abstract: An electrical conversion apparatus for use in current shaping comprising at least two capacitors connected in series between first and second lines, a first diode connected in parallel across the first capacitor, a second diode connected in parallel across the second capacitor, and a constant current device connected in series with the first and second capacitors.

Abstract: A control arrangement that includes an inductor of small inductance and having an input side and an output side, the input side being connected to an input line connected, in use, to an output from a power supply, and the output side being connected to an output line connected, in use, to a load. A switched capacitor arrangement is located at the input side of the inductor, the switched capacitor arrangement being arranged such that an average voltage on the input line is maintained above a predetermined level during use of the control arrangement.