Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a plurality of modules (36), each module (36) including at least one switching element (38) and at least one energy storage device (40), the or each switching element (38) and the or each energy storage device (40) in each module (36) arranged to be combinable to selectively provide a voltage source, wherein each module (36) includes a respective sensor (46) that is configured to monitor at least one other of the plurality of modules (36), each sensor (46) configured to selectively detect an occurrence of an operational hazard in the or each corresponding monitored module (36).

Abstract: An electronic valve apparatus for a high voltage direct current, HVDC, power transmission system. The electronic valve apparatus includes a first device chain including a number of first devices connected in series between an input node and an output node. Each of the first devices has an asymmetric transfer function configured substantially to block current flow through the device in a first direction, and the first devices are connected such that they all block current flow in the same direction. The electronic valve apparatus also includes a second device chain including a number of second devices connected in series between the input node and the output node. Each of the second devices has an asymmetric transfer function configured substantially to block current flow through the device in a first direction, and the second devices are connected such that they all block current flow in the same direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a voltage source converter (VSC) (300) comprising: a first MOSFET switching element (302) including a first body diode (306); a second MOSFET switching element (304) including a second body diode (308), the second MOSFET switching element (304) being connected in series with the first MOSFET switching element (302); a protection device (318) connected in parallel with the second MOSFET switching element (304); and a controller (312), wherein the controller (312) is configured, on detection of an overcurrent event, to: switch off the first MOSFET switching element (302); and switch off the second MOSFET switching element (304), thereby forcing current flowing in the VSC (300) following the overcurrent event to flow through the second body diode (308) rather than through conducting channels of the first and second MOSFET switching elements (302, 304).

Abstract: There is provided a power supply apparatus for supplying power to an external electrical load, including a power transmission line or cable through which an alternating or direct current may flow, a power supply module, a control unit, an output terminal for connection to the external electrical load, and a converter. The power supply module includes an input terminal connected to the power transmission line or cable, and includes switching elements and energy storage device(s). The control unit controls the switching elements to selectively switch each energy storage device into circuit to direct a current flowing in the power transmission line or cable to flow through each energy storage device so as to store energy to form a power source. The converter draws power from the power source and supplies the drawn power to the output terminal.

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises a plurality of current-conductive branches connected in parallel between first and second terminals, each current-conductive branch including at least one respective electrical connection member in series connection with at least one respective gas tube switch between the first and second terminals, wherein the inductance value of each electrical connection member is configured to balance the inductance values of the current-conductive branches.

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a plurality of modules (36), each module (36) including at least one switching element (38) and at least one energy storage device (40), the or each switching element (38) and the or each energy storage device (40) in each module (36) arranged to be combinable to selectively provide a voltage source, wherein each module (36) includes a respective sensor (46) that is configured to monitor at least one other of the plurality of modules (36), each sensor (46) configured to selectively detect an occurrence of an operational hazard in the or each corresponding monitored module (36).

Abstract: This application relates to a cell (1200) or sub-module for a voltage source converter (1201). The cell includes an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) and a plurality of dual-switch semiconductor packages (201), each having first and second semiconductor switches (202, 203) connected in series. The cell is operable in an active state in which an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) is electrically connected in series between cell terminals (102a, 102b) and a bypass state in the cell terminals (102a, 102b) are electrically connected via a path that bypasses the first energy storage apparatus.

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises: a first current-conductive branch (12) including a first switching element (24), the first switching element (24) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the first current-conductive branch (12); a second current-conductive branch (14) including a second switching element (32), the second switching element (32) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the second current-conductive branch (14); and first and second terminals (18,20) for connection, in use, to an electrical network (22), wherein the first and second current-conductive branches (12,14) extend between the first and second terminals (18,20), wherein the first current-conductive branch (12) further includes an energy storage element electrically coupled to the second switching element (32) so that the energy storage element is configured as a power source for enabling the operation of the second switching element (32), and the first swi

Abstract: There is provided a switching apparatus (30,130) comprising: first and second nodes (32,34) operably connectable to a line voltage (44); first and second switching branches (38,40) connected in parallel between the first and second nodes (32,34), the first switching branch (38) including at least one first switching element (46,60); and the second switching branch (40) including a pair of switching assemblies connected in series between the first and second nodes (32,34), the second switching branch (40) further including a junction (48) between the pair of switching assemblies, each switching assembly including at least one second switching element (50), at least one of the switching assemblies further including at least one impedance element (52), wherein the switching apparatus (30,130) further includes a shunt impedance (42) and a third node (36), the shunt impedance (42) arranged to form a permanent electrical connection between the junction (48) and the third node (36), the third node (36) operably c

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic valve apparatus for a high voltage direct current, HVDC, power transmission system. The electronic valve apparatus comprises a first device chain (301) including a plurality of first devices (302, 303) connected in series between an input node (330) and an output node (332) of the electronic valve apparatus (300, 400, 500). Each of the plurality of first devices (302, 303) has an asymmetric transfer function configured substantially to block current flow through the device in a first direction, and the plurality of first devices (302, 303) are connected such that they all block current flow in the same direction. The electronic valve apparatus also includes a second device chain (311) including a plurality of second devices (312, 313) connected in series between the input node (330) and the output node (332).

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises: a plurality of parallel-connected current-conductive branches, each current-conductive branch including at least one respective gas tube switch; and a switching control unit configured to control the turn-on of the gas tube switches in a switching order so that the flow of current in the switching apparatus is controlled to switch between the current-conductive branches, wherein the switching order of the turn-on of the gas tube switches is arranged so that only one of the current-conductive branches is carrying the current during each turn-on cycle of the switching apparatus.

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises: a first current-conductive branch (12) including a first switching element (24), the first switching element (24) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the first current-conductive branch (12); a second current-conductive branch (14) including a second switching element (32), the second switching element (32) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the second current-conductive branch (14); and first and second terminals (18,20) for connection, in use, to an electrical network (22), wherein the first and second current-conductive branches (12,14) extend between the first and second terminals (18,20), wherein the switching apparatus further includes an inductance element (44) configured to carry, in use, a current flowing through the switching apparatus, the inductance element (44) electrically coupled to the second switching element (32) so that the inductance element (44) is configured as a po

Abstract: In the field of voltage source converters for high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission there is provided a protection arrangement for a switching device. The protection arrangement comprises a thyristor that has main current-carrying terminals which in use are connected in reverse parallel with a switching device to be protected, whereby during normal operation of the switching device a reverse voltage is applied to the thyristor. The protection arrangement also includes a trigger circuit that is operatively connected with a gate control terminal of the thyristor. The trigger circuit is configured to apply a voltage to the gate control terminal of the thyristor when the reverse voltage applied to the thyristor reaches a safety threshold voltage whereby the thyristor fails and presents an irreversible short-circuit across the main current-carrying terminals of the switching device.

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises: a first current-conductive branch (12) including a first switching element (24), the first switching element (24) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the first current-conductive branch (12); a second current-conductive branch (14) including a second switching element (32), the second switching element (32) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the second current-conductive branch (14); and first and second terminals (18,20) for connection, in use, to an electrical network (22), wherein the first and second current-conductive branches (12,14) extend between the first and second terminals (18,20), wherein the first current-conductive branch (12) further includes an energy storage element electrically coupled to the second switching element (32) so that the energy storage element is configured as a power source for enabling the operation of the second switching element (32), and the first swi

Abstract: This application relates to a cell (1200) or sub-module for a voltage source converter (1201). The cell includes an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) and a plurality of dual-switch semiconductor packages (201), each having first and second semiconductor switches (202, 203) connected in series. The cell is operable in an active state in which an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) is electrically connected in series between cell terminals (102a, 102b) and a bypass state in the cell terminals (102a, 102b) are electrically connected via a path that bypasses the first energy storage apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a voltage source converter (VSC) (300) comprising: a first MOSFET switching element (302) including a first body diode (306); a second MOSFET switching element (304) including a second body diode (308), the second MOSFET switching element (304) being connected in series with the first MOSFET switching element (302); a protection device (318) connected in parallel with the second MOSFET switching element (304); and a controller (312), wherein the controller (312) is configured, on detection of an overcurrent event, to: switch off the first MOSFET switching element (302); and switch off the second MOSFET switching element (304), thereby forcing current flowing in the VSC (300) following the overcurrent event to flow through the second body diode (308) rather than through conducting channels of the first and second MOSFET switching elements (302, 304).

Abstract: A switching apparatus comprises: a first current-conductive branch (12) including a first switching element (24), the first switching element (24) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the first current-conductive branch (12); a second current-conductive branch (14) including a second switching element (32), the second switching element (32) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the second current-conductive branch (14); and first and second terminals (18,20) for connection, in use, to an electrical network (22), wherein the first and second current-conductive branches (12,14) extend between the first and second terminals (18,20), wherein the switching apparatus further includes an inductance element (44) configured to carry, in use, a current flowing through the switching apparatus, the inductance element (44) electrically coupled to the second switching element (32) so that the inductance element (44) is configured as a po

Abstract: In the field of gate drivers for switching devices with a gate terminal via which the switching device can be turned on and off, a switching stage (10; 90) comprises first and second input terminals (12, 14) that are connectable in use with corresponding positive and negative terminals (16, 18) of a regulated voltage source (20). The switching stage (10; 80; 90) also includes an output terminal (34) which is connectable in use with a gate terminal (36) of a switching device (28). In addition the switching stage (10; 80; 90) includes a secondary energy storage device (38) that is electrically connected with the first and second input terminals (12, 14) to in use receive and store energy via the regulated voltage source (20).

Abstract: In the field of gate drivers for switching devices with a gate terminal via which the switching device can be turned on and off, a switching stage (10; 90) comprises first and second input terminals (12, 14) that are connectable in use with corresponding positive and negative terminals (16, 18) of a regulated voltage source (20). The switching stage (10; 80; 90) also includes an output terminal (34) which is connectable in use with a gate terminal (36) of a switching device (28). In addition the switching stage (10; 80; 90) includes a secondary energy storage device (38) that is electrically connected with the first and second input terminals (12, 14) to in use receive and store energy via the regulated voltage source (20).

Abstract: A DC breakers and in particular to DC breaker modules suitable for use in a high voltage DC circuit. The breaker module comprises at least a first breaker circuit (enclosed within a conductive enclosure. The enclosure is configured such that the first breaker circuit can be connected (in an electrical path with a circuit external to the conductive enclosure. The conductive enclosure is further configured to be connected to a node of the electrical path such that, in use, the conductive enclosure is at the same voltage potential as the node of the circuit path. The conductive enclosure may be a standardised size and may, for example, be a standard shipping container. The methods and apparatus of the present application allow a DC breaker to be formed from modules that can be built, tested, transported and installed in a standardised enclosure.