Abstract: A junction box comprises parallel-connected switches comprising at least a first switch and a second switch. A first current sensor senses current through the first switch. A second current sensor senses current through the second switch. A controller is in communication with the first and second current sensors. The controller modifies operation of the junction box in response to detecting at least one of the switches is failed. The controller detects that one of the first switch and the second switch is failed when the current through the first switch and the current through the second switch are unbalanced.

Abstract: An electrical assembly may include an electrical component, a first switch, and/or a second switch. The electrical component may include a closed state and an open state. The first switch may be connected in series with the second switch. The first switch and the second switch may be connected in parallel with the electrical component. The first switch and the second switch may be configured to provide a second electrical connection when the electrical component is in the open state. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the electrical component, opening the electrical component, the first switch, and/or the second switch via a controller, closing a second electrical component via the controller, and/or providing a diagnostic current from the power source to a diagnostic load to determine a status of the power source.

Abstract: An electrical assembly may include a controller, a first switch electrically connected to the controller, a switch driver electrically connected to the first switch and the controller, and/or a circuit electrically connected to the first switch and the controller. The controller may be configured to control the first switch via the switch driver, and/or the controller may be configured to control the first switch via the circuit. The circuit may include a first resistor and/or a second resistor. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the first switch and/or one or more loads, determining whether a fault condition is present, deactivating the first switch via the controller if the fault condition is present, closing the second switch via the controller, and/or determining, via the circuit, whether the first switch is in an activated state.

Abstract: An electrical assembly may include an electrical component including a terminal and/or circuit electrically connectable to a controller. The circuit may include a temperature sensor disposed proximate the terminal. The circuit may be configured to initiate a status change of said controller if a temperature of the terminal reaches a predetermined threshold. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to an electrical component and/or one or more loads, passively monitoring a current of the electrical component, and/or activating the status change of said controller if the current exceeds a current threshold.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a polyswitch and a switching device. The polyswitch includes a first resistance. The switching device is in parallel with the polyswitch. The switching device includes a second resistance that is less than the first resistance. The switching device is configured to enable a first current to flow therethrough when the vehicle is in an active mode. The switching device is configured to enable a first current to flow therethrough to power all electrical loads of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an active mode. The first resistance of the polyswitch is configured to enable a second current that is less than the first current to flow to a portion of the loads when the vehicle is in a sleep mode.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a polyswitch and a switching device. The polyswitch includes a first resistance. The switching device is in parallel with the polyswitch. The switching device includes a second resistance that is less than the first resistance. The switching device is configured to enable a first current to flow therethrough when the vehicle is in an active mode. The switching device is configured to enable a first current to flow therethrough to power all electrical loads of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an active mode. The first resistance of the polyswitch is configured to enable a second current that is less than the first current to flow to a portion of the loads when the vehicle is in a sleep mode.

Abstract: An electrical system may include an ECU and a power distribution circuit that may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to combine a first power input and a second power input into a power output. The second portion may be configured to provide the combined power output to a plurality of loads. The first portion may include a first section, a second section, and an output section. The output section may be connected to the second portion. The first section and the second section may be connected in parallel to the output section. The first section may include a first semiconductor device and a first switch disposed in series. The second section may include a second semiconductor device and a second switch disposed in series. The ECU may be configured to detect and mitigate a thermal hazard in the power distribution circuit.

Abstract: An electrical system may include an ECU and a power distribution circuit that may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to combine a first power input and a second power input into a power output. The second portion may be configured to provide the combined power output to a plurality of loads. The first portion may include a first section, a second section, and an output section. The output section may be connected to the second portion. The first section and the second section may be connected in parallel to the output section. The first section may include a first semiconductor device and a first switch disposed in series. The second section may include a second semiconductor device and a second switch disposed in series. The ECU may be configured to detect and mitigate a thermal hazard in the power distribution circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for detection and warning of electro-migration in a region on a printed circuit board between a first electrically conductive element having a first electrical characteristic and a second electrically conductive element having a second electrical characteristic different than the first. The circuit includes an electrically conductive guard track that is electrically isolated from the first and second elements in the region and has a normal condition electrical characteristic based on the first and second characteristics. The circuit includes an electrical characteristic supervisor to detect an electrical characteristic of the guard track. In response to electro-migration creating an electrical connection of the guard track to the first or second element, the guard track has an abnormal condition electrical characteristic different than the normal condition. In response to detecting the abnormal condition of the guard track, the supervisor effectuates a warning of electro-migration in the region.

Abstract: A circuit for detection and warning of electro-migration in a region on a printed circuit board between a first electrically conductive element having a first electrical characteristic and a second electrically conductive element having a second electrical characteristic different than the first. The circuit includes an electrically conductive guard track that is electrically isolated from the first and second elements in the region and has a normal condition electrical characteristic based on the first and second characteristics. The circuit includes an electrical characteristic supervisor to detect an electrical characteristic of the guard track. In response to electro-migration creating an electrical connection of the guard track to the first or second element, the guard track has an abnormal condition electrical characteristic different than the normal condition. In response to detecting the abnormal condition of the guard track, the supervisor effectuates a warning of electro-migration in the region.