Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a computer programme and a device (2) for determining contact wear in an electrical switchgear (3) in an electric switchgear assembly (1) as well as to a switchgear assembly (1) with such a device (2). According to invention, for determining a contact wear status variable (Cwsum) a current measuring signal (Imess) is monitored for deviations (?) from an expected faulty switch-off current (If) and, in case of deviations, the status variable (Cwsum) is not immediately calculated from current measuring signal (Imess), but indirectly using a characteristic current value (Ichar). Embodiments, among other things, relate to: deviations by saturation of the current transformer (30) and maximal current measuring signal (Imax) as characteristic current value (Ichar); status variable (Cwsum) as a measure for arcing power during switching-off and, in particular, equal to a potential function (f(Imess)) of the switch-off current (Imess).

Abstract: A switching power supply unit includes an overcurrent protection circuit section and a latch-stop release signal output circuit section. The overcurrent protection circuit section performs an overcurrent protection operation for latching and stopping the switching operation of a main switch during an overcurrent state. The latch-stop release signal output circuit section outputs a signal, only in a predetermined latch-stop release period, for releasing the latch stop after a certain waiting time has elapsed from the time of the latch stop. This arrangement can virtually perform a hiccup-mode overcurrent protection operation at the time of overcurrent, and expands the scope of application of a switching power supply unit. Switching power supply circuits are interconnected by simultaneous starting connections. Switching controllers for the main switches are connected to match hiccup mode restart timings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing ESD protection. An ESD clamp is connected across the terminals to be protected circuit. The clamp is coupled to a current detector that activates the clamp when current from an ESD event exceeds a predefined limit.

Abstract: In a projection television receiver, a common switch mode power supply energizes the convergence circuits, and other load circuits of the projection television receiver. In normal operation, a switch couples a supply voltage produces in the common switch mode power supply to the convergence circuits. When, as a result of a fault, a supply current in the convergence circuits is excessive, the common switch mode power supply is decoupled from the convergence circuits and other load circuits remain energized and operative.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is provided for detecting direction of a current flowing on a line, in particular of a bus of a test equipment. The circuit comprises a sense resistor coupled within the line. A first comparator is connected with its positive input to the line on one of the two sides of the sense resistor and with its negative input connected to the line on the other one of the two sides of the sense resistor. A second comparator with one of its inputs is connected to the line on one of the two sides of the sense resistor and with the other one of its inputs is provided with a voltage divider. Said first comparator provides an output signal depending on the direction of the current flowing on the line, and said second comparator provides a second output signal defining whether the first output signal is valid or not.

Abstract: A suppression and protection circuit is used in conjunction with a circuit interrupter. In one configuration, a voltage clamping device such as a metal oxide varistor is utilized in a ground fault circuit interrupter product for handling transient surges and overvoltage conditions and is placed in series with a solenoid coil. The suppression and protection circuit includes a crowbar device across the line such as a header spark gap to prevent overvoltages, and a low pass filter such as an LC filter for suppressing transient surges.

Abstract: A boost-type switching power device which obtains a dc output by connecting a rectifying diode to the output side of an inductance element, connected in series to a main switching element, the device including: a control circuit which controls the operation of the main switching element by using a feedback signal in accordance with the dc output; and a constant-current circuit comprising a plurality of active elements, which are provided between the the rectifying diode and the output terminal; and wherein, when there is an overload on the output side, the operation of the active elements comprising the constant-current circuit controls the control circuit, switching the main switching element off and thereby stopping the boost function, and, in addition, the output is controlled by the constant-current circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the fault protection of a monitor circuit is provided by coupling an input protection circuit to an output section. The input protection circuit may include a fusible device that limits or removes a fault condition present at an input to the input protection circuit. The fusible device may be, for example, a resettable positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) device configured to limit the current passing through it to a predetermined level once it reaches a predetermined temperature. A resistive element may be thermally coupled to the PTC device to assist in reaching the predetermined temperature. The monitor circuit may further be configured to generate a sensory signal in response to a fault condition.

Abstract: A control system for the adjustment and calibration of electromagnetic devices, such as E-I core electromagnetic devices, using adaptive gain adjustment. A controller is provided with an input current and an output force and provides an output signal indicative of a force gain estimate, wherein the force gain estimate is the ratio of the output force to the input current.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a substrate having a wafer-installing face and an opposed back face. An electrostatic chucking electrode is buried in the substrate, and an insulating layer is provided on the back face of the substrate. The substrate also includes a dielectric layer including at least the wafer-installing face and surrounding the electrostatic chucking electrode, and the insulating layer includes an insulating material having a larger volume resistivity than that of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device for protecting a voltage source and a load supplied with power by the voltage source, comprises a switching element interposed between the voltage source and the load and is associated with a current limiting circuit including a measuring unit for measuring the current provided by the source and a control unit for controlling the switching element so as to prevent the current from exceeding a predetermined current threshold, and a voltage limiting circuit adapted to control the switching element so as to prevent the voltage supplied to the load from exceeding a predetermined voltage threshold.

Abstract: A power circuit protection apparatus halting an operation of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller when an abnormal state is generated due to an open or short in a secondary side winding of a transformer is provided. The apparatus includes: a transformer; an output unit which receives voltages output from the transformer, rectifies and smoothes the received voltage, and outputs the rectified and smoothed voltage; a PWM controller which receives the voltage output from the output unit and outputs a PWM signal with an adjusted duty cycle; a voltage sensing unit which senses voltages induced in the secondary side coils of the transformer; a blocking unit which blocks interference between sensed voltages and a first reference voltage; and a comparison unit which compares a variation value of the first reference voltage with respect to a second reference voltage and outputs a signal determining an on/off operation of the PWM controller.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The electrostatic chuck has a bonded structure comprising a ceramic electrostatic chuck member, a metal member and a bonding layer. The bonding layer has at least a first outermost bonding layer joined to the ceramic electrostatic chuck member, a second outermost bonding layer joined to the metal member, and an intermediate polyimide layer disposed between the first and second outermost bonding layers. Each of the outermost bonding layers are made of a silicone layer or an acrylic.

Abstract: An algorithmic system for an electronic trip unit is provided whereby reliable instantaneous protection is provided. A multi-algorithmic approach uses an algorithm to detect bolted faults based on a direct comparison of the current and a threshold value, and an additional algorithm to detect current overloads based on a comparison of a peak-to-peak current and an additional current threshold.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device detection circuit for detecting whether a device is coupled to a differential link, a transmitter (e.g., a transceiver) including such a circuit, and a system including such a transmitter. Preferably, the device detection circuit includes two branches (each branch including a switch), a current source that causes current to flow through either branch, or to be shared by both branches, depending on the state of each switch, and a voltage swing detector configured to detect the voltage between a node (of one branch) and a node (of the other branch) during a device detection operation. In other embodiments, the invention is a device (e.g., a receiver) including a differential termination that can be coupled to a differential link, and an electrical overstress protection circuit coupled to the termination and configured to protect the device against electrical stress during a hot plug event.

Abstract: The inventive circuit configuration has only two poles and is connected in series between the battery and the load. The circuit configuration interrupts the electric circuit for a short time in order to gauge the condition of the battery. The interruption is so short that it is not perceived by a user.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter which protects an AC circuit subjected to a possible arcing fault includes a sensor which produces a signal that can be evaluated to see if it is associated with arc fault current. The evaluation is done by a discrimination circuit which identifies a characteristic of the sensor signal associated with cessations of the arc fault current. An accumulator counts the number of occurrences of the cessations, and if the number of cessations counted within a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined number, the arc fault circuit interrupter interrupts the AC circuit.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit comprising a first pad, a second pad, and a clamp circuit. The first pad is used as an external connection terminal to be connected to a semiconductor integrated circuit. The second pad is used as an external connection terminal to be connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit. The clamp circuit is connected between the first pad and the second pad. The ESD protecting circuit further comprises a control circuit. The control circuit controls the clamp circuit, rendering the same conducting or non-conducting.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a plurality of internal circuits connected to different power lines, and an inter-circuit signal wire or a branched wire along these internal circuits, wherein near an active element in a first connection configuration connected to the inter-circuit signal wire or the like, a plurality of active elements in a second connection configuration are arranged to sandwich or surround the active element in the first connection configuration. The active elements in the second connection configuration have the identical or similar structure to the active element in the first connection configuration, and are connected to power lines of an internal circuit associated therewith but not connected to signal wires and so on in the internal circuit.

Abstract: A method and system to improve efficiency and performance of a power supply by providing a consistent voltage level into a multiple-pole circuit breaker (10) to improve efficiency, reduce heat generation and increase the speed and consistency of “turn-on” times. A power supply (14) for changing waveform comprises circuitry for receiving at least one waveform having first and second components. Circuitry is provided for changing the first component and means for outputting a waveform comprising the outputs from the changing circuitry are also provided.