Abstract: A soft starter includes a plurality of live phases, wherein a semiconductor switching element and an electromechanical switch parallel-connected thereto are arranged in each phase. In the soft starter, on a load-facing side of the semiconductor switching elements and of the electromechanical switches, the plurality of phases are connected in a circuit forming a star point. The star point circuit includes at least one passive component and is configured for detecting a reduced voltage drop in a defective state of a semiconductor switching element and/or of an electromechanical switch.

Abstract: A communication module is for attachment to a parameterizable switching device. In an embodiment, the switching device includes one or more setting elements for setting parameter values. The communication module, attached at a defined position relative to the switching device, covers one or more of the one or more setting elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft starter (10) for connecting at least one main circuit (12, 14, 16), each of which includes a bypass circuit (20) having a semiconductor switch (22). Said soft starter (10) comprises a control unit (40) for actuating the bypass circuit (20), and the control unit (40) is equipped with a control signal input (44). According to the invention, the control unit (40) has a separate safety signal input (42).

Abstract: A soft starter includes a plurality of live phases, wherein a semiconductor switching element and an electromechanical switch parallel-connected thereto are arranged in each phase. In the soft starter, on a load-facing side of the semiconductor switching elements and of the electromechanical switches, the plurality of phases are connected in a circuit forming a star point. The star point circuit includes at least one passive component and is configured for detecting a reduced voltage drop in a defective state of a semiconductor switching element and/or of an electromechanical switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft starter (10) for connecting at least one main circuit (12, 14, 16), each of which includes a bypass circuit (20) having a semiconductor switch (22). Said soft starter (10) comprises a control unit (40) for actuating the bypass circuit (20), and the control unit (40) is equipped with a control signal input (44). According to the invention, the control unit (40) has a separate safety signal input (42).

Abstract: A motor starter includes a control unit and a first current path, via which energy can be supplied to a downstream electrical motor. The first current path includes a semiconductor switch and an electromechanical switch element, the semiconductor switch and the switch element being connected in series. In order to provide a cost-effective, safe motor starter, according to an embodiment of the invention the control unit is designed such that, in order to produce an energy supply via the first current path in a first step, it ensures that the voltage currently connected via the switch element, in respect of a previous opening of the switch element, lies below the allowable maximum blocking voltage of the semiconductor switch. Subsequently in a second step, the switch element first closes and then switches the semiconductor switch to be conductive.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes a top-hat rail mount and a first conductor connection with a clamping point. A conductor can be secured via the clamping point. The electrical apparatus can be connected to a top-hat rail via a rotational movement about a rotational axis at the top-hat rail mount. In an embodiment, the first conductor connection be embodied and arranged in such a way that in the state in which the apparatus is connected to the top-hat rail via its top-hat rail mount, the longitudinal axis of a straight conductor which is accommodated in the first conductor connection is located essentially perpendicularly with respect to a straight line which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the rotational axis and which intersects the rotational axis and the clamping point.

Abstract: A device for connecting to a power network includes a circuit board, a first input-side connection point, to which a first phase of the power network can be connected, a second input-side connection point, to which a second phase of the power network can be connected, and a first and second electrical conductor. The first conductor is connected to the first input-side connection point and the second conductor is connected to the second input-side connection point inside the device. The first conductor is routed as a conductor trace in an interior layer of the circuit board and includes a constriction. The second conductor is routed past the constriction such that electrical insulation existing between the constriction of the first conductor and the second conductor is destroyed in the case of a short-circuit current, to provide an electrically conductive connection between the first and second conductor exists.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a switchgear which includes a control unit, a supply connection and a first current path. The first current path includes a first electromechanical switch and, connected in series to the first switch, a parallel connection of a second electromechanical switch to a semiconductor switch. The switchgear includes an energy accumulator and a measuring device. A control unit is capable of monitoring energy supply coming in through the supply connection. If the energy supply through the supply connection reaches a critical range, the control unit controls the output of the switching signals via the energy of the energy accumulator such that: in a first step, the semiconductor switch is switched to be electrically conducting and the second switch is then opened, and in a second step, the semiconductor switch is switched to be electrically non-conducting and the second switch is then opened.

Abstract: A device for connecting to a power network includes a circuit board, a first input-side connection point, to which a first phase of the power network can be connected, a second input-side connection point, to which a second phase of the power network can be connected, and a first and second electrical conductor. The first conductor is connected to the first input-side connection point and the second conductor is connected to the second input-side connection point inside the device. The first conductor is routed as a conductor trace in an interior layer of the circuit board and includes a constriction. The second conductor is routed past the constriction such that electrical insulation existing between the constriction of the first conductor and the second conductor is destroyed in the case of a short-circuit current, to provide an electrically conductive connection between the first and second conductor exists.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a switchgear which includes a control unit, a supply connection and a first current path. The first current path includes a first electromechanical switch and, connected in series to the first switch, a parallel connection of a second electromechanical switch to a semiconductor switch. The switchgear includes an energy accumulator and a measuring device. A control unit is capable of monitoring energy supply coming in through the supply connection. If the energy supply through the supply connection reaches a critical range, the control unit controls the output of the switching signals via the energy of the energy accumulator such that: in a first step, the semiconductor switch is switched to be electrically conducting and the second switch is then opened, and in a second step, the semiconductor switch is switched to be electrically non-conducting and the second switch is then opened.

Abstract: A motor starter includes a control unit and a first current path, via which energy can be supplied to a downstream electrical motor. The first current path includes a semiconductor switch and an electromechanical switch element, the semiconductor switch and the switch element being connected in series. In order to provide a cost-effective, safe motor starter, according to an embodiment of the invention the control unit is designed such that, in order to produce an energy supply via the first current path in a first step, it ensures that the voltage currently connected via the switch element, in respect of a previous opening of the switch element, lies below the allowable maximum blocking voltage of the semiconductor switch. Subsequently in a second step, the switch element first closes and then switches the semiconductor switch to be conductive.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes a top-hat rail mount and a first conductor connection with a clamping point. A conductor can be secured via the clamping point. The electrical apparatus can be connected to a top-hat rail via a rotational movement about a rotational axis at the top-hat rail mount. In an embodiment, the first conductor connection be embodied and arranged in such a way that in the state in which the apparatus is connected to the top-hat rail via its top-hat rail mount, the longitudinal axis of a straight conductor which is accommodated in the first conductor connection is located essentially perpendicularly with respect to a straight line which is oriented orthogonally with respect to the rotational axis and which intersects the rotational axis and the clamping point.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a motor starter includes a connection module, which includes a second and third interface, wherein the second interface is electrically conductively connected to the third interface. The security evaluation unit can be mechanically coupled to the connection module so that an electrically conductive connection is produced between the first and second interfaces. The secure switch unit can be mechanically coupled to the connection module so that an electrically conductive connection between the third and fourth interfaces is produced, so that, in the coupled state of the security evaluation unit and the secure switch unit to the connection module; there is an electrically conductive connection between the first and fourth interfaces via the connection module, so that the control command can be transmitted from the security evaluation unit via the connection module to the secure switch unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a motor starter includes a connection module, which includes a second and third interface, wherein the second interface is electrically conductively connected to the third interface. The security evaluation unit can be mechanically coupled to the connection module so that an electrically conductive connection is produced between the first and second interfaces. The secure switch unit can be mechanically coupled to the connection module so that an electrically conductive connection between the third and fourth interfaces is produced, so that, in the coupled state of the security evaluation unit and the secure switch unit to the connection module; there is an electrically conductive connection between the first and fourth interfaces via the connection module, so that the control command can be transmitted from the security evaluation unit via the connection module to the secure switch unit.

Abstract: A switching device and method are disclosed for terminating a braking process of a three-phase AC motor. The braking process of the AC motor is performed by way of a first and second thyristor. During the braking process of the AC motor, in a first step the first thyristor is actuated in such a way that a braking current is fed to the AC motor, and therefore a torque which brakes the AC motor is produced. In a second step the second thyristor is actuated in such a way that, when the first thyristor is quenched, the braking current is taken on by the second thyristor and the braking torque is maintained. The two steps are repeated during the braking process; wherein the second step is suppressed during the braking process after a last actuation of the first thyristor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a phase failure in an electrical device for driving or monitoring a three-phase AC motor, wherein the electrical device comprises a first, a second and a third line. In order to detect a phase failure in a line in the three-phase electrical device, in particular in a soft starter, the phase failure in the third line is determined by analysing the first and second lines, wherein the analysis includes: determining a value which characterizes a phase shift between a current in the first and second lines, and outputting a signal if the value which has been determined is in a range of values which characterizes a phase failure in the third line.

Abstract: A switching device and method are disclosed for terminating a braking process of a three-phase AC motor. The braking process of the AC motor is performed by way of a first and second thyristor. During the braking process of the AC motor, in a first step the first thyristor is actuated in such a way that a braking current is fed to the AC motor, and therefore a torque which brakes the AC motor is produced. In a second step the second thyristor is actuated in such a way that, when the first thyristor is quenched, the braking current is taken on by the second thyristor and the braking torque is maintained. The two steps are repeated during the braking process; wherein the second step is suppressed during the braking process after a last actuation of the first thyristor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a phase failure in an electrical device for driving or monitoring a three-phase AC motor, wherein the electrical device comprises a first, a second and a third line. In order to detect a phase failure in a line in the three-phase electrical device, in particular in a soft starter, the phase failure in the third line is determined by analysing the first and second lines, wherein the analysis includes: determining a value which characterizes a phase shift between a current in the first and second lines, and outputting a signal if the value which has been determined is in a range of values which characterizes a phase failure in the third line.

Abstract: In order to enable in a motor system, in which a soft start of the motor has been implemented, the operation of the motor, wherein the power consumption is reduced, it is proposed to operate the driver circuit during a switch-on phase in order to carry out a soft start of the motor. In at least one embodiment, the driver circuit can be bypassed in a normal operational phase as a function of a load, by means of which the motor is operated.