Abstract: A device includes a current difference measurement module for measuring the difference between a current flowing in a positive contact of the electrical installation and a current flowing in a negative contact of the electrical installation, a low-pass filter for filtering the differential current, a full-wave rectifier without threshold module for rectifying the filtered current and a trip module for emitting a trip command when the rectified current is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold for a predetermined duration. The device thus makes it possible to protect a DC-voltage electrical installation in a noisy environment.

Abstract: In some examples, this description provides for an apparatus. The apparatus includes a power switch having a power switch source configured to receive an input voltage, a power switch drain, and a power switch gate. The apparatus also includes a current sense component coupled to the power switch. The apparatus also includes a current limiting circuit coupled to the power switch gate, the power switch drain, and the current sense component. The apparatus also includes an over-current protection (OCP) circuit coupled to the power switch source, the power switch drain, and the power switch gate. The apparatus also includes an output voltage (VOUT) clamp coupled to the power switch drain and the power switch gate.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a failure in a contactor economizer that is configured to provide a first current to a coil of a contactor to close the contactor, and to provide a second current lower than the first current to the coil after the contactor is closed to hold the contactor closed. The method includes at least one of: driving contactor actuation based on economizer failure status; and/or signaling failure of the economizer through built in test (BIT) indication.

Abstract: A surge arrester device comprising a first housing portion including a first end and a second end, the first end including a first opening and the second end including a second opening. The device includes a first axis parallel to the first housing portion, the first axis intersecting a first center of the first opening and a second center of the second opening, and a second axis perpendicular to the first housing portion, the second axis intersecting an intermediate section of the first housing portion. The device includes a second housing portion protruding from the intermediate section of the first housing portion, the second housing portion protruding at an angle between the first axis and the second axis, and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) stack within the second housing portion, wherein the MOV stack is released through an opening of the second housing portion if the arrester faults to ground.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for a power control system device housed in a subpanel, that allows for multiple alternative energy inputs as well as providing an islanding feature, which allows a homeowner to receive alternative energy power when the utility power is lost. For example, in a system that includes an electrical service panel main with a main circuit breaker that is connected directly to a utility electrical source, which may have one or more secondary circuit breakers that back-feeds current from an alternative energy source, there is provided an apparatus that: monitors current from both circuit breakers and prevents excess power from overheating the service panel and/or the wiring to the main circuit breaker; may have multiple spaces for circuit breakers that may be connected to multiple alternative energy sources; and may continue to feed specific loads to the home when utility power is lost and one or more alternative energy sources are available.

Abstract: A short circuit protection circuit may comprise a first configuration channel line extending from a first connector, a first resistor connected to the first configuration channel line; a voltage divider connected to a junction point on the first configuration channel line, the voltage divider comprising a second resistor and a thermistor, and a field effect transistor (FET) comprising a source, gate, and drain. The thermistor may be connected to a ground line. The drain of the FET may be connected to the first resistor, the source of the FET may be connected to the ground line, and the gate of the FET may be connected to a second junction point between the second resistor and thermistor of the voltage divider.

Abstract: A switching device including at least one main breaker, an actuator configured to cause a change of state of the main breaker, from a first to a second state, counter to a spring generated force, the actuator being powered by a control signal equal to a first level to cause the change of state of the main breaker then to a second, lower level, to hold the main breaker in the second state. The switching device comprises a current sensor configured to control the control signal to increase it to a third level higher than the second level if the current flowing in the main breaker is higher than or equal to a given operating threshold, to avoid a spurious change of state of the main breaker. The switching device comprises a re-armable protection system for controlling the time for which the control signal is held at the third level.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate; a base plate; and a heater unit which heats the ceramic dielectric substrate. The heater unit includes a first heater element. The first heater element has a plurality of sub-zones. The sub-zones include a first sub-zone. The first sub-zone includes a sub-heater line generating heat by allowing a current to flow, a first sub-power feeding portion feeding a power to the sub-heater line, and a second sub-power feeding portion feeding a power to the sub-heater line. The first sub-zone has a central region located centrally in the first sub-zone and an outer peripheral region located outside the central region when viewed along a Z-direction perpendicular to the first major surface. At least one of the first sub-power feeding portion and the second sub-power feeding portion is provided in the central region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices which can be installed in interchangeable bases and which interrupt and subsequently automatically reconnect medium-voltage circuits. The device disclosed herein detects whether there is a fault in the electric circuit and effects automatic interruption and subsequent reconnection after a time that depends on the characteristics of the detected fault and on the device configuration. The design of the device reduces the contact wear of vacuum switch and lengthens the useful life thereof. The device is further characterized in that it gathers detailed information regarding electrical characteristics of medium-voltage line; it is self-powering and stores electrical power, thereby allowing the device to keep operating even when there is no current in the line.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic dielectric substrate; a base plate; and a heater unit which heats the ceramic dielectric substrate. The heater unit includes first and second heater elements. The second heater element has a plurality of main zones separated from each other in a radial direction. The first heater element has a plurality of sub-zones separated from each other. A number of the sub-zones is larger than a number of the main zones. The main zones include a first main zone. The first main zone has a main heater line and a first main power feeding portion. The sub-zones include a first sub-zone overlapping the first main zone. The first sub-zone has a central region and an outer peripheral region. The first main power feeding portion is provided at a position where the first main power feeding portion overlaps the central region.

Abstract: A method of operating a Fault Current Limiter Circuit Breaker including a plurality of FLCB modules connected in series, including at least a first module and a second module. Each module has a plurality of parallel component legs including a mechanical switch leg having a mechanical switch, a semiconductor switch leg having a semiconductor switch, and a Metal Oxide Varistor leg having a MOV. The method includes, when the FLCB is in an open configuration, obtaining an indication that the FLCB should be closed; in response to the obtained indication, closing the semiconductor switch of each of the modules; and, after the closing of the semiconductor switches and while the mechanical switch of the second module remains open, closing the mechanical switch of the first module.

Abstract: Output circuit devices for use in electric power systems may include a first output subsystem for transmitting a first signal output via an output port to a component of the electric power system, an input subsystem for receiving and monitoring the first signal output transmitted by the first output subsystem, and a second output subsystem for transmitting another signal output to the component of the electric power system. The second output subsystem is to transmit the signal output in response to an indication from the input subsystem. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more output circuit devices.

Abstract: Ground-fault circuit interrupter positioned between energy controlled supply circuit and load circuit which includes fault detection circuit that senses ground path current leakage to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for an electric load includes first and second terminals; a number of first separable contacts each electrically connected between one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals; a first mechanism to open, close or trip open the first contacts; a number of second separable contacts each electrically connected in series with a corresponding one of the first contacts; a second mechanism to open or close the second contacts; a processor to cause the second mechanism to open or close the second contacts, annunciate through one of the second terminals a power circuit electrical parameter for the electric load, receive from a number of the second terminals a confirmation from or on behalf of the electric load to cause the second mechanism to close the second contacts, and determine a fault state operatively associated with current flowing through the second contacts.

Abstract: A method of determining a fault in a protected zone of a power line comprises obtaining measurements at a measurement point at one end of the power line, processing the measurements in a number of parallel processing branches comprising at least two parallel processing branches, wherein the processing in each branch comprises filtering the measurements in a corresponding low pass filter for obtaining a corresponding set of filtered measurements, wherein the cut-off frequencies of the low pass filters in these parallel processing branches differ from each other, performing reach calculations on the filtered measurements for obtaining corresponding reach point quantities, and comparing the reach point quantities with corresponding thresholds. Finally, it is determined that there is a fault within the protected zone if any threshold is crossed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a semiconductor control system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for protecting a semiconductor switch comprising receiving a first voltage during a second blanking period following a first blanking period; determining whether a short circuit fault is occurring by comparing the first voltage to a fast detection threshold corresponding to a first value of a drain-source voltage of the semiconductor switch; if a short circuit is not occurring: receiving a second voltage after the second blanking period ends; determining whether a short circuit fault is occurring by comparing the second voltage to a slow detection threshold corresponding to a second value of the drain-source voltage; and if a short circuit fault is occurring, opening the semiconductor switch, wherein the first value of the drain-source voltage is greater than the second value of the drain-source voltage.

Abstract: An electronic protection device for electric power distribution grids, the electronic protection device being adapted to control one or more switching devices in an electric power distribution grid and being capable of communicating, at local level, with one or more sensors or electronic devices of the electric power distribution grid and, at remote level, with a remote computerised platform. The electronic protection device is adapted to receive first grid monitoring data indicative of physical quantities related to the operation of the electric power distribution grid from the sensors or electronic devices, the first grid monitoring data including at least measured values indicative of a line current flowing along an electric line of the electric power distribution grid. The electronic protection device is adapted to carry out a predictive monitoring procedure of the operating conditions of the electric power distribution grid.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of bus plugs. Each of a respective bus plug of the plurality of bus plugs includes an electrical switch configured to selectively control a corresponding energization of the respective bus plug and an actuator operable to control a corresponding electrical switch. The system includes a remote application having commands defining the energization of at least one of the plurality of bus plugs. The system further includes a communication module configured to communicate the commands from the remote application to the at least one of the plurality of bus plugs. The commands cause the corresponding actuator to control the corresponding electrical switch. Methods of controlling energization of a bus plug with a remote application and communication module configured to operate an actuator are also provided.

Abstract: A discharge device for discharging electrostatic charges from a shaft includes a frame support having a first leg and a second leg and a contact strand for forming a contact surface with the shaft, a first end of the contact strand being clamped on the first leg and a second end of the contact strand being mounted so as to be displaceable on the second leg, a receiving means which is disposed on the frame support, the second end of the contact strand extending at least partly into the receiving means, and a switch, in particular a reed switch, which is disposed in the receiving means or in the contact strand and which is configured so as to be activated as a result of a displacement of the second end of the contact strand, said second end extending at least partly into the receiving means.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an overvoltage protection assembly, and an electrode useable in pairs in such an overvoltage protection device. In various aspects, at least one electrode is made from a single piece of conductive source material to ensure its strength, reliability, and ease of manufacture. Still further, the electrode has a specific geometry selected to enhance electromagnetic effects experienced during high voltage, high current overvoltage events in a way that quickly relocates and dissipates an arc formed at a gap between an electrode pair, to ensure repeatable, reliable performance of the overvoltage protection device.