Abstract: An automation system for monitoring a safety-critical process includes a platform configured to execute user programs that implement a safety function, a fail-safe peripheral module configured to couple the user programs with the safety-critical process, and a monitoring device configured to ensure fail-safe execution of the safety function on the platform. The monitoring device is couplable to the platform via a first communication interface and the fail-safe peripheral module is couplable to the platform via a second communication interface. The monitoring device runs a fail-safe service independently of the platform, via which the monitoring device interacts with the fail-safe peripheral module. The fail-safe peripheral module signals a safe state based on the implemented safety function and the fail-safe service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for short-circuit detection by saturation detection in power semiconductor switches and to a corresponding device. A reference voltage (Uref) is provided as a function of a supply voltage (UVDD) of a power semiconductor switch. A differential voltage (Udiff) is generated from the difference of a voltage drop (U?) of a load path of the power semiconductor switch and the provided reference voltage (Uref). The generated differential voltage (Udiff) is compared with a predetermined threshold voltage (Ulim). A short-circuit current in the load path of the power semiconductor switch is detected when the differential voltage (Udiff) exceeds the threshold voltage (Ulim). In this case, the power semiconductor switch is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (200) for controlling a plurality of semiconductor switches connected in parallel, having an activation connection (213) and a deactivation connection (214), and having a plurality of control connections (220), each provided for connection to a control connection (123) of one of the plurality of semiconductor switches, wherein the activation connection (213) and the deactivation connection (214) are each connected to each of the plurality of control connections (220), and wherein a circuit breaker (230) is provided between the activation connection (213) and at least one of the control connections (220), furthermore having at least one detection and control arrangement which is designed to detect a current flow in the at least one of the control connections (220) and, if a short-circuit is detected on the basis of the current flow, to control the circuit breaker (230) to open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for short-circuit detection by saturation detection in power semiconductor switches and to a corresponding device. A reference voltage (Uref) is provided as a function of a supply voltage (UVDD) of a power semiconductor switch. A differential voltage (Udiff) is generated from the difference of a voltage drop (U?) of a load path of the power semiconductor switch and the provided reference voltage (Uref). The generated differential voltage (Udiff) is compared with a predetermined threshold voltage (Ulim). A short-circuit current in the load path of the power semiconductor switch is detected when the differential voltage (Udiff) exceeds the threshold voltage (Ulim). In this case, the power semiconductor switch is opened.