Abstract: An improved grounding brush system for mitigating electrical current on a moving object such as a rotating shaft includes an electrically conductive layer applied to the object and associated with a brush assembly for conducting electrical current from the moving object to ground.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments disclosed herein include an adaptive current limiter comprising a variable reference voltage generator which is coupled to a power source via two input nodes and which develops a voltage step with exponential decay in response to, for example, a transient over-voltage condition, with the output of the variable reference voltage generator supplying a reference voltage to a comparator which compares the reference voltage to a voltage derived from a sensing resistor and, upon detecting an over-voltage condition, signals to a circuit breaker that the circuit should be broken or modified.

Abstract: A GFCI device with circuit condition detection function includes a leakage current detection circuit, a disconnect mechanism, a reset mechanism, a circuit condition detection and control circuit, and a selection switch. The disconnect mechanism includes a first SCR controlled by the leakage current detection circuit. The circuit condition detection and control circuit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit. When the first control circuit is connected to an anode of the first SCR by the selection switch, it provides an intermittent simulated leakage current to the leakage current detection circuit, and the leakage current detection circuit provides a trigger signal for a control gate of the first SCR, so that the first control circuit generates an intermittent simulated leakage current. When the leakage current detection circuit is not operational to generate the trigger signal, the first control circuit generates a control signal to disable the GFCI device.

Abstract: A safety switch device for switching a power supply for a load on and off, having at least one driveable switching element, in particular a relay, and a safety circuit for checking a switching state of the switching element. The switching element is in the form of a changeover switch in such a manner that a first contact is electrically connected to either a second contact or a third contact by means of a switching operation. A method for operating a safety switch device is also provided.

Abstract: A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for remote data transmission having processing means comprising a first input to receive a first data item of a state of the circuit breaker, and at least one command output to command transmission of data. The processing means comprise: a second input to receive at least one second data item representative of an electrical fault or of an auxiliary command, identification means to identify the type of electrical fault, and initialization means of the at least one command output. An auxiliary unit and a circuit breaker comprising the device. A method for implementing said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surge arrester having a cage design, and to a method for its production. According to the invention, during extrusion-coating or encapsulation of a module comprising two end fittings (3) and a plurality of varistor blocks (1) and at least one reinforcing element (9) in order to form the outer housing (5), first through-holes (11) for the reinforcing element (9) thereof are sealed with silicone. For this purpose, second through-holes (15) are provided in the end fittings (3), through which the silicone runs during casting or spraying, and enters the through-holes (11) from the outside, in order in this way to seal them against water and moisture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power strip having a surge protective circuit. When a surge is inputted into the power strip, the surge is subject to two-stage suppressions so as to protect the electrical appliances which are electrically connected to the power strip. The surge protective circuit of the power strip includes a first surge protective device, a buffer conductive device and a second surge protective device. The buffer conductive device is relatively small-sized and cost-effective in comparison with the bulky inductor used in conventional power strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for short circuit protection. The apparatus comprises two supply inputs for connecting the apparatus to a terminal of a power supply and two supply paths being connected together and to the supply inputs, wherein each supply path comprises a disconnection means for disconnecting the supply path. Further the apparatus comprises a determination means for determining a current flowing from one of the supply paths through the other one of the supply paths and a control means for controlling the disconnection means of the supply paths dependent on the current determined by the determination means, wherein the control means is connected with the disconnection means and the determination means.

Abstract: A module hot swap circuit includes a low voltage-drop rectifier adapted to receive either positive or negative voltages of different absolute values. The rectifier is coupled to a power manager that provides dual startup/shutdown voltage thresholds and inrush current limiting. A detector prevents reverse current flow allowing the module to hold up during input voltage drop-outs.

Abstract: An ungrounded electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault.

Abstract: A ground fault detection system for an electrical system is disclosed. The electrical system may have a first and a second electrical component and a controller, and the second electrical component may be coupled to the controller. The ground fault detection system may include a ground fault detection module integrated in the first electrical component. The first electrical component may be isolated from the second electrical component. The ground fault detection system may further include a data link configured to establish a data communication between a controller and the ground fault detection module. The ground fault detection module may be configured to activate a mode of operation for the first electrical component if a ground fault associated with the first electrical component is identified.

Abstract: One embodiment includes an integrated circuit including an input circuit, a first diode including a first anode and a first cathode, with the first cathode coupled to a first voltage, the first anode coupled to the input circuit at a node via a first mechanical switch, a second diode including a second anode and a second cathode, with the second cathode coupled to the node via a second mechanical switch, the second anode coupled to a ground and a resistor coupled to the input circuit between the integrated circuit and the node, wherein in a first mode of operating, the first mechanical switch and the second mechanical switch are conducting, and in a second mode of operating, the first and second mechanical switches are nonconducting.

Abstract: An ungrounded or floating DC electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected based on the voltage difference measured to a common chassis point. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault. Localization may be achieved through an analysis of direction of capacitive currents in isolatable zones of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection to electronic circuits using a gate clamp circuit.

Abstract: A neutralization apparatus comprising an ion generation element employing a novel, high efficiency discharge system capable of generating high concentration ions with a low ozone concentration. In the neutralization apparatus, the ion generation element is a minute electrode ion generation element consisting of a discharge electrode and an induction electrode having minute protrusions arranged in one direction on a plane, and a thin dielectric film sandwiched between them.

Abstract: A differential current output driver and a method for overvoltage protection of a differential current output driver circuit are provided. The output driver includes a differential current output driver circuit operable by a power supply voltage and including first and second driver transistors in a differential current configuration and first and second output pads, and an overvoltage protection circuit configured to generate a protected voltage in response to a voltage on at least one of the first and second output pads and an absence of the power supply voltage, and to apply the protected voltage to at least one transistor of the differential current output driver circuit.

Abstract: When a target valve timing determined in accordance with the state of operation of an internal combustion engine is acquired, a feed forward control of setting a command timing of a valve body on the basis of the target valve timing and a predicted delay time is performed, and a feedback control of setting the actual delay time in the previous cycle as a predicted delay time for the next cycle is performed. The valve timings (opening, closure) are specified at a timing at which the valve body reached a position that is apart from a pre-determined position on a basis of a buffer height of a buffer mechanism. This makes it to possible to accurately detect the actual delay time in the feedback control, and allows the command timing to be properly set in the feed forward control.

Abstract: A semiconductor module is provided which includes a beat heat spreader, at least two semiconductors thermally coupled to the heat spreader, and a plurality of electrically conductive leads electrically connected to the semiconductors. At least one of the electrically conductive leads is common to both of the semiconductors. The semiconductor module also includes a termination resistor electrically coupled to at least one of the semiconductors. A method of making a semiconductor module is also taught, whereby a plurality of electrically conductive leads are provided. At least two semiconductors are electrically coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive leads, where at least one of the electrically conductive leads is common to both of the semiconductors. The semiconductors are then thermally coupled to a heat spreader. Subsequently, a termination resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the semiconductors.

Abstract: A semiconductor module is provided which includes a beat heat spreader, at least two semiconductors thermally coupled to the heat spreader, and a plurality of electrically conductive leads electrically connected to the semiconductors. At least one of the electrically conductive leads is common to both of the semiconductors The semiconductor module also includes a termination resistor electrically coupled to at least one of the semiconductors. A method of making a semiconductor module is also taught, whereby a plurality of electrically conductive leads are provided. At least two semiconductors are electrically coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive leads, where at least one of the electrically conductive leads is common to both of the semiconductors. The semiconductors are then thermally coupled to a heat spreader. Subsequently, a termination resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the semiconductors.