Abstract: A device (13) to break an electrical current flowing through a power transmission or distribution line (14) comprises a parallel connection of a main breaker (8) and a non-linear resistor (11), where the main breaker (8) comprises at least one power semiconductor switch of a first current direction. The device (13) further comprises a series connection of a high speed switch (10) comprising at least one mechanical switch and of an auxiliary breaker (9), the auxiliary breaker having a smaller on-resistance than the main breaker (8) and comprising at least one power semiconductor switch of the first current direction. The series connection is connected in parallel to the parallel connection. In a method to use the device (13) first the auxiliary breaker (9) is opened, thereby commutating the current to the main breaker (8), afterwards the high speed switch (10) is opened and afterwards the main breaker (8) is opened thereby commutating the current to the non-linear resistor (11).

Abstract: A high voltage DC circuit breaker includes a semiconductor switching assembly in series with a mechanical switch. When the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off due to a current fault, a residual current flowing through arresters of the semiconductor switching assembly is switched off by the mechanical switch. A capacitor arranged parallel to the mechanical switch leads to passive resonance effects, which in turn induce current zero crossings in its arc. The current zero crossings allow for reliable extinguishing of the arc. The mechanical switch can be an AC circuit breaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an HVDC switchyard arranged to interconnect a first part of a DC grid with a second part of the DC grid. By means of the invention, a first part of the DC grid is connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard via a fast DC breaker, while further part(s) of the DC grid are connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard by means of switchyard DC breakers of lower breaking speed. By use of the inventive HVDC switchyard arrangement, the cost for the HVDC switchyard can be considerably reduced, while adequate protection can be provided. In one embodiment, the fast DC breaker is an HVDC station DC breaker forming part of an HVDC station. In another embodiment, the fast DC breaker is a switchyard DC breaker.

Abstract: A switching module, intended to be used in a medium or high voltage DC breaker or a DC current limiter, includes at least one power semiconductor switching element, a gate unit arranged to turn the at least one power semiconductor switching element on and off, respectively, according to a switching control signal, and an energy storage capacitor arranged to provide power to a power supply input of the gate unit. The switching module further includes a power transformation device arranged to receive an optical power signal, to transform the optical power signal into an electrical power signal and to provide the electrical power signal to the energy storage capacitor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed with adjusting elements, which in a first manufacturing stage are connected via tracks to terminal pads lying outside the integrated circuit. At least one of the tracks of the integrated circuit lies on a surface of a region, which includes semiconductor material and in a second manufacturing stage is isolated by a pn junction from additional semiconductor material, which is adjacent to the region. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing this type of integrated circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device (13) to break an electrical current flowing through a power transmission or distribution line (14) comprises a parallel connection of a main breaker (8) and a non-linear resistor (11), where the main breaker (8) comprises at least one power semiconductor switch of a first current direction. The device (13) further comprises a series connection of a high speed switch (10) comprising at least one mechanical switch and of an auxiliary breaker (9), the auxiliary breaker having a smaller on-resistance than the main breaker (8) and comprising at least one power semiconductor switch of the first current direction. The series connection is connected in parallel to the parallel connection. In a method to use the device (13) first the auxiliary breaker (9) is opened, thereby commutating the current to the main breaker (8), afterwards the high speed switch (10) is opened and afterwards the main breaker (8) is opened thereby commutating the current to the non-linear resistor (11).

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed with adjusting elements, which in a first manufacturing stage are connected via tracks to terminal pads lying outside the integrated circuit. At least one of the tracks of the integrated circuit lies on a surface of a region, which includes semiconductor material and in a second manufacturing stage is isolated by a pn junction from additional semiconductor material, which is adjacent to the region. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing this type of integrated circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: DC current in a high voltage AC/DC or DC/AC converter station can be measured via the Faraday effect in one or more loops of an optical sensing fiber located at the base of a bushing extending through a wall of the hall. This arrangement can exploit the base of the bushing being at ground potential, which can simplify mounting work and maintenance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed with adjusting elements, which in a first manufacturing stage are connected via tracks to terminal pads lying outside the integrated circuit. At least one of the tracks of the integrated circuit lies on a surface of a region, which includes semiconductor material and in a second manufacturing stage is isolated by a pn junction from additional semiconductor material, which is adjacent to the region. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing this type of integrated circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: Measuring equipment for forming a measured value for voltage representing an ac voltage on a high-voltage conductor. The measuring equipment includes capacitor equipment with a known capacitance for connection between the high-voltage conductor and ground potential. The measuring equipment further includes a current-measurer for sensing a capacitor current flowing through the capacitor equipment and for forming the measured value for voltage in dependence on the capacitor current.