Abstract: Techniques characterize a circuit breaker device utilizing an apparatus having an energy storage device for storing and releasing a particular amount of energy and a controller. The controller (i) disconnects the energy storage device from an interface and connects the energy storage device to an external power source to store the particular amount of energy in the energy storage device, and (ii) disconnects the energy storage device from the external power source and connects the energy storage device to the interface such that energy is released from the energy storage device through the interface and through the circuit breaker device. The circuit breaker device is deemed to belong to a first category when the circuit breaker device trips in response to the released energy, and a second category when the circuit breaker device does not trip in response to the released energy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for testing a powerability characteristic of a backup power supply for a computerized device using a discharge circuit that is different than circuitry of the computerized device. The discharge circuit is capable of draining float charge of the backup power supply thus enabling a measuring circuit to properly determine whether the backup power supply is suitable for providing the operating power to the computerized device for the predetermined amount of time in the event the computerized device no longer receives main power from the main power supply. One arrangement of the invention is directed to a computer system that includes a computerized device, a main power supply that provides power to the computerized device, a backup power supply coupled to the main power supply to receive charge from the main power supply.

Abstract: A transient voltage suppression circuit consists of energy dissipation components with one end connected either to a line or a neutral wire of a power line and the other end connected to a reed switch which, in turn, is connected to ground. The reed switch, which is an encapsulated switch consisting of two metal strips with a gap between them, is in an open position, and accordingly, does not under normal operating conditions provide a path to ground for the associated energy dissipation components. The energy dissipation components thus do not conduct. When a transient having a sufficiently high voltage occurs between the line or neutral wires and the ground wire, it causes the reed switch to conduct momentarily, that is, spark, across the gap. The switch momentarily forms a path to ground and allows the associated energy dissipation components to shunt a transient current away from protected appliances.

Abstract: A power supply maintains a rectifier circuit in a non-doubler mode configuration when the power supply is attached to a 110-120 volt AC power source, until bulk capacitors in the rectifying circuit are charged to a combined potential of (.sqroot.2)*110-120 volts. The power supply then switches to a doubler mode configuration and the capacitors charge separately to a combined potential of (.sqroot.2)*220-240 volts. The two step charging procedure reduces the inrush current, over that developed in charging the capacitors from a zero volt potential to a combined potential of (.sqroot.2)*240 volts. It thus limits the current through a switch which configures the power supply in the doubler mode. If the power supply operates only with a 110-120 volt AC power source, which is common in high power industrial applications smaller diodes may be used in the rectifier circuitry since the inrush current is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the total harmonic distortion and the power factor of a non-linear load circuit coupled to an a.c. power source generating a.c. current and a.c. voltage, the a.c. current input to the load circuit being in phase with the a.c. voltage provided across the load circuit by the a.c. power source. The invention measures the total harmonic distortion of a.c. current and a.c. voltage at the non-linear load circuit and calculates the total harmonic distortion and the power factor as a function of both.