Abstract: A method for operating a universal motor, comprising the following steps: —establishing a synthetic variable from at least two physical operating parameters of the universal motor; and —operating the universal motor using operating parameters of this type so that the synthetic variable remains at a substantially constant level or at least does not exceed a defined permissible upper limit.

Abstract: A method and device for electrodynamic braking of a universal motor. The method comprises the steps of continuously ascertaining a rotational speed of the universal motor, temporarily, periodically short-circuiting an armature of the universal motor with a semiconductor switch, and regulating firing angles of the semiconductor switch with a regulating device. The regulating device regulates firing angles of the semiconductor switch such that the rotational speed of the universal motor is adapted with minimal deviation to a rotational speed of a target rotational speed profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a switch position includes a first circuit node and a second circuit node configured to connect the apparatus to an AC electric voltage. The apparatus further includes a switch connected between the first circuit node and a third circuit node, and a resistor connected between the first circuit node and the third circuit node. The apparatus also includes a microcomputer device, and a switched-mode power supply apparatus connected between the second circuit node and the third circuit node. The switched-mode power supply apparatus is configured to provide a supply voltage to the microcomputer device at the third circuit node. The microcomputer device is configured to calculate a position of the switch from an electric detection voltage dropped between the third circuit node and the second circuit node.

Abstract: A phase gating controller includes a thyristor/triac having a control terminal and two power terminals, a sampling device for sampling a voltage present across the power terminals of the thyristor/triac and a control device configured to provide a control voltage at the control terminal in order to trigger the thyristor/triac. The control device is further configured to switch off the control voltage at the triggered thyristor and to detect an unexpected turning-off of the thyristor/triac if the sampled voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting a switch position includes a first node configured to be connected to one phase of a power network, a third node, and a micro-controller. A switch is arranged between the first node and the third node. A resistor is arranged parallel to the switch between the first node and the third node. A connection on the micro-controller is connected to the third node. The micro-controller is programmed to compare a voltage present at the connection against a reference voltage and to determine from this comparison whether the switch is open or closed.

Abstract: A method for operating a microcomputer apparatus includes provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage. The provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus.

Abstract: A method for operating a universal motor, comprising the following steps:—establishing a synthetic variable from at least two physical operating parameters of the universal motor; and—operating the universal motor using operating parameters of this type so that the synthetic variable remains at a substantially constant level or at least does not exceed a defined permissible upper limit.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a switch position includes a first circuit node and a second circuit node configured to connect the apparatus to an AC electric voltage. The apparatus further includes a switch connected between the first circuit node and a third circuit node, and a resistor connected between the first circuit node and the third circuit node. The apparatus also includes a microcomputer device, and a switched-mode power supply apparatus connected between the second circuit node and the third circuit node. The switched-mode power supply apparatus is configured to provide a supply voltage to the microcomputer device at the third circuit node. The microcomputer device is configured to calculate a position of the switch from an electric detection voltage dropped between the third circuit node and the second circuit node.

Abstract: A method for checking a speed system of a motor-driven apparatus is proposed. In the absence of a speed signal, a first aspect provides for a control device to send a test signal via the speed system, the test signal being expected at an input of the control device. If the test signal is not detected, a fault in the speed system is identified.

Abstract: A method and device for electrodynamic braking of a universal motor. The method comprises the steps of continuously ascertaining a rotational speed of the universal motor, temporarily, periodically short-circuiting an armature of the universal motor with a semiconductor switch, and regulating firing angles of the semiconductor switch with a regulating device. The regulating device regulates firing angles of the semiconductor switch such that the rotational speed of the universal motor is adapted with minimal deviation to a rotational speed of a target rotational speed profile.

Abstract: A method and device for the electrodynamic braking of a universal motor. The method comprises continuously ascertaining a rotational speed of the universal motor, temporarily, periodically short-circuiting an armature of the universal motor with a semiconductor switch to brake the universal motor, and setting firing angles of the semiconductor switch according to an indexed mapping of firing angles to target rotational speeds of the universal motor. Each of the set firing angles is adapted to an ascertained rotational speed value.

Abstract: A method for operating a microcomputer apparatus includes provisioning an electrical reference voltage that is independent of an electrical supply voltage, continuously comparing a defined level of the electrical reference voltage with the electrical supply voltage, and performing a defined operation with the microcomputer apparatus for at least one defined ratio between the defined level of the electrical reference voltage and the electrical supply voltage. The provisioning and the continuous comparing involves using a functional module of the microcomputer apparatus.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for detecting a switch position includes a first node configured to be connected to one phase of a power network, a third node, and a micro-controller. A switch is arranged between the first node and the third node. A resistor is arranged parallel to the switch between the first node and the third node. A connection on the micro-controller is connected to the third node. The micro-controller is programmed to compare a voltage present at the connection against a reference voltage and to determine from this comparison whether the switch is open or closed.

Abstract: A phase gating controller includes a thyristor/triac having a control terminal and two power terminals, a sampling device for sampling a voltage present across the power terminals of the thyristor/triac and a control device configured to provide a control voltage at the control terminal in order to trigger the thyristor/triac. The control device is further configured to switch off the control voltage at the triggered thyristor and to detect an unexpected turning-off of the thyristor/triac if the sampled voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A device configured for rotary speed measurement includes a speed transmitter on which segments are distributed across a radial circumference and a sensor that is substantially stationary relative to the speed transmitter. A method for determining the rotary speed of the device includes continuously determining pass-through times of all segments relative to the sensor, continuously determining revolution times of the speed transmitter by summing the pass-through times of all segments over a complete revolution, and continuously determining the speed from the revolution times. The revolution times are determined after each pass-through of a segment relative to the sensor and the most current pass-through times of all segments are used for determining each revolution time. Since the time for a full revolution is calculated for each segment respectively, differences in the length of individual segments due to production do not have any negative influence on the calculation of speed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for operating a speed sensing device including a magnetically operating speed encoder that is located on a rotatably mounted shaft and a fixed sensor configured to interact with the speed encoder. The speed encoder includes at least one encoder element configured to move past the fixed sensor upon a revolution of the shaft and thereby produces an electrical pulse. The sensing of the electrical pulses produced determines the speed of the shaft. For at least a plurality of successive electrical pulses, the respective time of a signal period for at least two successive electrical pulses is measured and stored, and the respective time of at least one selected test period for the signal periods is compared with (i) the time of the previous signal period, and (ii) with the time of the subsequent signal period in order to detect absent and/or incorrect electrical pulses.

Abstract: A method for checking a speed system of a motor-driven apparatus is proposed. In the absence of a speed signal, a first aspect provides for a control device to send a test signal via the speed system, the test signal being expected at an input of the control device. If the test signal is not detected, a fault in the speed system is identified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor (2) having a phase angle control with the following steps: Applying an AC voltage to a series connection of the electric motor (2) and a switching element (4), particularly a triac, wherein the switching element (4) connects through by applying an ignition signal and suppresses the flow of a current if the amount of current falls below a holding current; determining the time of a zero crossing of a virtual motor current that would flow if the switching element (4) were connected through; and turning on the switching element (4) at an activation time that is dependant on the time of the zero crossing of the virtual motor current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor (2) having a phase angle control with the following steps: Applying an AC voltage to a series connection of the electric motor (2) and a switching element (4), particularly a triac, wherein the switching element (4) connects through by applying an ignition signal and suppresses the flow of a current if the amount of current falls below a holding current; determining the time of a zero crossing of a virtual motor current that would flow if the switching element (4) were connected through; and turning on the switching element (4) at an activation time that is dependant on the time of the zero crossing of the virtual motor current.