Abstract: An over current protection system, the system includes: a sampling rate unit, adapted to determine a sampling rate of at least one alternating input current in response to an alternating input current cycle duration; and a controller, adapted to receive samples of the at least one alternating input current and to initiate an appliance of an over current protection measure if at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled: an amplitude of an alternating input current exceeds a first threshold before magnitudes of multiple alternating input current samples exceed a second threshold; and magnitudes of multiple alternating input current samples exceed a third threshold, wherein the third threshold exceeds the first and second thresholds.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrometallurgical process for extracting noble metals from raw materials containing the same, comprising(a) leaching the raw materials with a mineral acid to leave a residue containing the noble metals,(b) treating said residue with a substantially non-aqueous liquid comprising bromine and an apolar organic solvent in which bromine dissolves, to form a complex of the formulaR[MeBr.sub.x ]whereinx=4-6Me=Au, Ag, Pt, PdOs, Ru, Rh, Irand R is an organic moiety of the solvent, and(c) subjecting the complex-containing substantially non-aqueous liquid to electrolysis whereby noble metal is deposited on the cathode and removable therefrom and bromine liquid is formed at the anode and immediately dissolves in the organic solvent.