Abstract: An electrical power distribution system for connecting an electrical device to a source of electrical power and disconnecting the electrical device therefrom. The system includes a PCD tag associated with the electrical device, and a PCD reader associated with a receptacle electrically connectable to the source of electrical power. The PCD tag has a PCD tag memory in which data related to the electrical device is stored in a format readable by the PCD reader, the data including an electrical device load rating. The system also has a switch device for connecting and disconnecting the receptacle to the power source. In addition, the system has a measuring device for measuring actual load and a control circuit for comparing actual load to the electrical device load rating. The control circuit provides a disconnect signal to the switch device upon the actual load exceeding the electrical device load rating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing a solid state relay arrangement as a part of a protection scheme for a telecom wireline card suitable are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a line card that is suitable for use in an optical network device includes an electrical port, a plurality of input lines, an output line, and protection circuitry. The protection circuitry switches or multiplexes the plurality of input lines into the output line, and includes a solid state relay arrangement and power isolation circuitry. The power isolation circuitry provides a high impedance to power rails associated with the solid state relay arrangement, and the solid state relay arrangement includes at least one N-channel field effect transistor (FET), at least one protection diode, and at least one charge pump.

Abstract: A communication circuit for an electronic dimming ballast provides high-voltage miswire protection and improved rise and fall times of a transmitted digital signal. The electronic dimming ballast comprises a control circuit, which is coupled to a digital communication link, for example, a DALI communication link, via the communication circuit. The communication circuit comprises a receiving circuit for detecting when the digital ballast communication link is shorted and for providing a received digital message to the control circuit. The communication circuit also comprises a transmitting circuit for shorting the communication link in response to the control circuit. The communication circuit also includes a high-voltage fault protection circuit for protecting the circuitry of the communication circuit if the communication circuit high-voltage mains voltages. The communication circuit is operable to reliably transmit digital messages having improved rise and fall times.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electric arc isolation structure for isolating an electric arc produced by an arc discharge at a transformer, and the transformer includes a primary side input electrode terminal and a secondary side high-voltage output terminal. The exterior of the transformer is covered by an insulating sheath, and the insulating sheath at least fully covers the secondary side high-voltage output terminal of the transformer.

Abstract: There is provided a static eliminator for accurately detecting a contamination condition of a discharge electrode, in which a target value as a target frame ground current value is changed from, for example, zero as a reference alternately to the plus side and the minus side to such a degree as not to affect the ion balance of a workpiece, and the follow-up time, namely a phase delay, with respect to the change in target value differs depending on the contamination condition of the discharge electrode, and becomes longer with the progress of the contamination, and by use of this characteristic, a plurality of thresholds are prepared and compared with a detected frame ground current value, so as to detect the contamination condition of the discharge electrode.

Abstract: A switch arrangement for providing a drive signal at an output comprises a drive switch coupled to the output of the switch arrangement and a regulating element coupled in series between the drive switch and a power supply input of the switch arrangement. The drive switch is operable to provide the drive signal at the output. The switch arrangement is characterized in that the regulating element is coupled in a cascode arrangement with the drive switch such that in operation the regulating element limits the voltage drop across the drive switch to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A typical power plant has a plurality of generators; at least one load; at least one bus interconnecting the generators and the at least one load. The plant is operated on an uncorrected droop configuration for speed control and voltage control. The plant further includes a monitoring module for monitoring at least one of a plurality of signals; a calculating module for calculating a fault based on a comparison of predefined values expected from normal droop operation with respect to monitored values obtained from the monitored signals; and a control module for providing an order to bring additional generating capacity on line, for tripping a generator if a fault has been identified with respect to a single generator or for tripping a tie breaker to provide bus to bus isolation if an identified fault cannot be isolated to a single generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective circuit for an electrical device operated in particular in an explosion-hazard area, with a limiting circuit connected downstream of a pair of input terminals for limiting an output voltage present at a pair of output terminals and/or an output current delivered at the output terminals below a threshold value and a shorting circuit, which shorts the output or input terminals when a threshold value is exceeded, the control signal that controls the limitation originating from the same place as the signal that triggers the shorting circuit, and with a measuring circuit, which uses the output voltage or the output current to provide a control signal, which is fed on the one hand to a final control element for reducing the output voltage or the output current and on the other hand to the shorting circuit, the measuring circuit comprising a ZENER diode and/or a measuring resistor and the control signal being a voltage that is in particular a transistor-amplified or impedance-co

Abstract: A protection device for protecting an electronic circuit against a fault is described. The electronic circuit includes an output stage for driving a load and a driving circuit for driving the output stage. The driving circuit is configured to produce a drive signal in response to at least one input signal. The protection device includes a gating circuit and control means. The gating circuit has a first input configured to receive the drive signal, a second input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to activate and deactivate the output stage based on the drive signal and control signal. The control means produce the control signal in response to a detection signal representative of detection of the fault either of the load or of the output stage.

Abstract: For maintaining the regular operating current in an inner circuit under electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, an ESD protection device is provided to control an ESD path switch in the turned-on condition by employing a MOS device and a latch-detected turned-on circuit. The MOS device has a self-aligned silicidation (Salicide) therein. The ESD protection device is used to stabilize operation efficiency and reduce the area of an ESD protection device without a silicide block disposed therein for enhancing the ESD protection capability.

Abstract: Nanotube ESD protective devices and corresponding nonvolatile and volatile nanotube switches. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for protecting a protected circuit is coupled to an input pad. The ESD circuit includes a nanotube switch electrically having a control. The switch is coupled to the protected circuit and to a discharge path. The nanotube switch is controllable, in response to electrical stimulation of the control, between a de-activated state and an activated state. The activated state creates a current path so that a signal on the input pad flows to the discharge path to cause the signal at the input pad to remain within a predefined operable range for the protected circuit. The nanotube switch, the input pad, and the protected circuit may be on a semiconductor chip. The nanotube switch may be on a chip carrier. The deactivated and activated states may be volatile or non-volatile depending on the embodiment.

Abstract: An Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) fault protection system is provided. The fault protection system includes a GVPA, a gate voltage clamper, and a soft-off unit. The GVPA analyzes a gate voltage pattern of an IGBT to determine whether or not a fault has occurred. The gate voltage clamper prevents an increase in a gate voltage of the IGBT according to an output signal that the GVPA outputs when a fault has occurred. The soft-off unit softly turns off the IGBT according to an output signal that the GVPA outputs when a fault has occurred.

Abstract: An error detection apparatus for detecting an error in a power signal output by an external device switchable by a switching signal has a comparing unit for comparing the power signal with a reference signal to yield a comparison signal, a switching unit for providing the switching signal dependent on a control signal with the switching unit being designed to disregard the control signal and to ensure that the external device is switched off upon provision of a triggering signal to the switching unit, and a triggering unit for providing the triggering signal depending on the control signal and the comparison signal. Alternatively, the error detection apparatus has an influencing unit for influencing the power signal, such that the power signal fulfils a predetermined relationship to a reference signal in the case of an occurrence of the error, whereas the relationship is not fulfilled in the absence of the error.

Abstract: A demagnetization circuit for reducing interference in a mobile phone includes a wave filter, a demagnetization circuit and an audio playing circuit. The wave filter is configured to filter a received audio signal from the mobile phone. The wave filter includes an input that receives the audio signal, and an output. The demagnetization circuit is structured and arranged to generate an opposite magnetic field to that of the mobile phone to reduce pulse magnetic fields generated by the mobile phone.

Abstract: An LCDI device comprising a first switching element coupled to a second switching element. A shield conductor coupled to the first switching element form a system that monitors output conductors of the device for faults. The second switching element is coupled to a relay that electrically connects input conductors of the device to output conductors of the device when the relay is energized by the second switching element. When a fault occurs, the first switching element generates a signal to the second switching element which de-energizes the relay causing said relay to electrically disconnect the input conductors from the output conductors.

Abstract: Power supply apparatus with overload protection comprising a switch responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load, and protection means responsive to an overload condition to switch the switch to the OFF-state. The protection means is responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase after the switch switches to the ON-state so as to switch the switch back to the OFF-state and maintain the switch in the OFF-state. The protection means is subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if the first overload condition is not detected during the initial phase so as to switch the switch to the OFF-state and subsequently switch the switch back to the ON-state after an interval of time.

Abstract: A carrier wafer includes a flat substrate with a top side and a bottom side. A first layer sequence, at least on the top side of the substrate, is arranged with area parallel to the substrate. The first layer sequence has an isolating layer. A flat, conductive electrode is arranged on the first layer sequence with area parallel to the substrate. Everywhere that it is not in contact with the first layer sequence, the electrode is surrounded by a second layer sequence having a layer made of an isolating material. In a region, which forms a tunnel window and on which the electrode is arranged, the first layer sequence is thinner than on the rest of its area. An electrical voltage can be applied to the substrate in such a way that the electrical field lines caused by the applied voltage pass through the tunnel window. The electrode can be charged, by means of a potential difference between the electrode and the substrate caused by the applied voltage, in that electrons tunnel through the tunnel window.

Abstract: An auto-detecting input circuit is operative to sustain relatively high voltages applied to an input pad and generate corresponding signal levels at a native supply voltage range. The input circuit includes floating wells, corresponding bias selectors, and input biasing transistors to ensure that no gate oxide exposed to external voltages sustains a voltage greater than a predefined value. Bias selectors select an available highest voltage to reverse bias corresponding floating wells and ensure transistors are not electrically overstressed. As input-related terminals experience switching related voltages, the bias selectors select alternate terminals to continue selection of the highest voltage available and provide correct reverse biasing conditions. A resistor and clamp generate translated output voltage levels limited to the native supply voltage range. A latch is triggered by a first input signal excursion above the native supply voltage.

Abstract: A communication circuit for an electronic dimming ballast provides high-voltage miswire protection and improved rise and fall times of a transmitted digital signal. The electronic dimming ballast comprises a control circuit, which is coupled to a digital communication link, for example, a DALI communication link, via the communication circuit. The communication circuit comprises a receiving circuit for detecting when the digital ballast communication link is shorted and for providing a received digital message to the control circuit. The communication circuit also comprises a transmitting circuit for shorting the communication link in response to the control circuit. The communication circuit also includes a high-voltage fault protection circuit for protecting the circuitry of the communication circuit if the communication circuit high-voltage mains voltages. The communication circuit is operable to reliably transmit digital messages having improved rise and fall times.

Abstract: Provided is an intelligent electronic device for protection, monitoring, controlling, metering or automation of electrical power system. The system, method and device of the present invention preserves current differential protection active during a breaker bypass or similar operation. A current differential protection system is coordinated by one relay (transfer), which simultaneously establishes and handles multiple two-terminal 87L protection zones with several relays. This “enhanced multiple-terminal system” requires no change to protection settings on any local or remote relays during a bypass process.