Abstract: An electrical energy converter (100) arranged to be connected to at least one source of electrical energy (114, 116) and to condition the energy generated by that source to be suitable for feeding to a network (110) to which the converter (100) may be connected, the converter (100) comprising an input conversion stage (104) having at least three input terminals (P1-6) and a controller, the controller (112) being arranged to configure each of the terminals (p1-6) to accept any one of the following input types: 1. a phase of a polyphase supply; 2. one side of a single phase supply; 3. one side of a DC supply; and 4. no-input.

Abstract: An electrical energy converter (100) arranged to be connected to at least one source of electrical energy (114, 116) and to condition the energy generated by that source to be suitable for feeding to a network (110) to which the converter (100) may be connected, the converter (100) comprising an input conversion stage (104) having at least three input terminals (P1-6) and a controller, the controller (112) being arranged to configure each of the terminals (p1-6) to accept any one of the following input types: 1. a phase of a polyphase supply; 2. one side of a single phase supply; 3. one side of a DC supply; and 4. no-input.

Abstract: Various forms of apparatus (1) for preparing and dispensing beverages, preferably based on coffee, can receive instructions from a customer and deliver the beverage automatically. The apparatus is preferably capable of fully automatic cleaning in a cleaning cycle in which a cleaning agent is flushed through the lines (62, 64), and the apparatus is preferably arranged to ensure that not only are the lines cleaned properly but that no cleaning agent can be dispensed. The apparatus includes a brewer assembly (78) having a chamber (81) in which freshly ground coffee can be introduced and either espresso or filter coffee can be automatically prepared by passing hot water through the chamber and removing the spent coffee grounds. The coffee may be stored as coffee beans in sealed containers (208) that can automatically be pierced to release the beans which are ground immediately before preparation of the beverage.