Abstract: A method for operating a controllable electrical device connected by a data link to a control device for controlling the electrical device, includes using the electrical device to exchange electrical power with a connected electrical grid and using an environmental sensor for collecting environmental information. The control device transmits control signals to the electrical device over the data link. The electrical device assumes a first or a second operating state depending on the control signals transmitted. The electrical device exchanges energy with the electrical grid in the first operating state and the electrical device does not exchange energy with the electrical grid in the second operating state. Environmental information collected by the environmental sensor is transmitted over the data link to the control device only when the electrical device is in the second operating state. An assembly for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a controllable electrical device connected by a data link to a control device for controlling the electrical device, includes using the electrical device to exchange electrical power with a connected electrical grid and using an environmental sensor for collecting environmental information. The control device transmits control signals to the electrical device over the data link. The electrical device assumes a first or a second operating state depending on the control signals transmitted. The electrical device exchanges energy with the electrical grid in the first operating state and the electrical device does not exchange energy with the electrical grid in the second operating state. Environmental information collected by the environmental sensor is transmitted over the data link to the control device only when the electrical device is in the second operating state. An assembly for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A potential equalization system for a modular multi-level converter. The converter has a plurality of converter modules and each of the modules has a direct current source. The potential equalization system includes pole contacts, which are each electrically connected to one pole of a direct current source, and at least one electrically conductive contacting element, which can be moved between a first end position in which the contacting element is electrically isolated from the converter modules and a second end position in which the contacting element contacts pole contacts of different direct current sources and can be put on ground potential.

Abstract: A potential equalization system for a modular multi-level converter. The converter has a plurality of converter modules and each of the modules has a direct current source. The potential equalization system includes pole contacts, which are each electrically connected to one pole of a direct current source, and at least one electrically conductive contacting element, which can be moved between a first end position in which the contacting element is electrically isolated from the converter modules and a second end position in which the contacting element contacts pole contacts of different direct current sources and can be put on ground potential.

Abstract: A power module for a converter, in particular for a multilevel converter. The power module includes a link circuit capacitor, two connection terminals, at least one half-bridge connected in parallel with the link circuit capacitor and having two semiconductor switches, and, for each half-bridge, a bypass diode connected in parallel with a first semiconductor switch of the half-bridge and a load-relief circuit group connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch. The load-relief circuit group has a load-relief thyristor and a load-relief diode connected in series with the load-relief thyristor.

Abstract: A power module for a converter, in particular for a multilevel converter. The power module includes a link circuit capacitor, two connection terminals, at least one half-bridge connected in parallel with the link circuit capacitor and having two semiconductor switches, and, for each half-bridge, a bypass diode connected in parallel with a first semiconductor switch of the half-bridge and a load-relief circuit group connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switch. The load-relief circuit group has a load-relief thyristor and a load-relief diode connected in series with the load-relief thyristor.

Abstract: An electrical configuration contains at least one submodule which has a first and a second outer electrical terminal. The configuration further has a bypass switching device, which is electrically connected between the first and second terminals and in the on-state causes an electrical short-circuit in at least one current flow direction between the two outer terminals. The bypass switching device has a thyristor with an anode terminal, a cathode terminal and a trigger terminal and is connected by its anode terminal to one of the two outer terminals and by its cathode terminal to the other of the two outer terminals. A triggering device is connected to the trigger terminal of the thyristor for triggering the thyristor, and a switch is provided which in the on-state connects the anode terminal of the thyristor to the trigger terminal of the thyristor.

Abstract: An electric energy storage device which is connected to an electronic circuit is discharged by way of a first and a second electric conductor. A thyristor is provided for discharging the energy storage device. As a result of a fault occurring in the electronic circuit, a discharge current of the energy storage device begins to flow from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit via the first electric conductor and back to the energy storage device via the second electric conductor. The discharge current causes a magnetic field which changes over time to be generated about the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. The magnetic field penetrates the semiconductor material of the thyristor. By virtue of the temporally varying magnetic field, a current is induced in the semiconductor material of the thyristor, and the thyristor is activated by the induced current.

Abstract: An electric energy storage device which is connected to an electronic circuit is discharged by way of a first and a second electric conductor. A thyristor is provided for discharging the energy storage device. As a result of a fault occurring in the electronic circuit, a discharge current of the energy storage device begins to flow from the energy storage device to the electronic circuit via the first electric conductor and back to the energy storage device via the second electric conductor. The discharge current causes a magnetic field which changes over time to be generated about the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. The magnetic field penetrates the semiconductor material of the thyristor. By virtue of the temporally varying magnetic field, a current is induced in the semiconductor material of the thyristor, and the thyristor is activated by the induced current.

Abstract: An electrical configuration contains at least one submodule which has a first and a second outer electrical terminal. The configuration further has a bypass switching device, which is electrically connected between the first and second terminals and in the on-state causes an electrical short-circuit in at least one current flow direction between the two outer terminals. The bypass switching device has a thyristor with an anode terminal, a cathode terminal and a trigger terminal and is connected by its anode terminal to one of the two outer terminals and by its cathode terminal to the other of the two outer terminals. A triggering device is connected to the trigger terminal of the thyristor for triggering the thyristor, and a switch is provided which in the on-state connects the anode terminal of the thyristor to the trigger terminal of the thyristor.

Abstract: A supply device supplies electrical power to an electrical assembly at a high-voltage potential. The supply device has a series circuit composed of at least one series resistor and a supply unit. The series circuit can be connected to an energy store and the supply unit can be connected to the assembly that is to be supplied with power. The supply device further has a fuse element, by which a short-circuit current through the supply unit can be electrically interrupted in the event of a short circuit.

Abstract: A voltage-regulated power converter module includes an electrical charge storage device and a semiconductor switch connected thereto and having a collector, a gate and an emitter, in which the collector-emitter path of the semiconductor switch is switched into a current path between first and second alternating-current terminals of the power converter module. The alternating-current terminals can be interconnected through a bypass switch. The voltage-regulated power converter module is intended to minimize the occurrence of damage in the event of a fault, and allow the multilevel power converter to continue operating without possibly having to use an extremely fast bypass switch for this purpose. To this end, the collector and the gate of the semiconductor switch are interconnected through a circuit configuration, which is configured in such a way that it becomes conductive above a predefined voltage threshold. A power converter is also provided.

Abstract: A submodule for a modular multistage converter contains a first and a second connection terminal, an energy store, and a power semiconductor circuit which is connected to the energy store such that the voltage dropping at the energy store can be generated at the connection terminals in a first switch state and a zero voltage can be generated at the connection terminals in a second switch state. The aim is to provide such a submodule which allows an inexpensive submodule housing to be used while maintaining the same energy storage capacity or which allows an increased energy storage capacity while using the same housing without thereby undermining the protection provided by the submodule housing. This is achieved in that the power semiconductor circuit is connected in parallel to an energy storage branch in which the energy store and a device for limiting a surge current are arranged.

Abstract: A sub-module for a modular multi-stage converter has an energy store and a power semiconductor series circuit connected in parallel to the energy store. In the semiconductor series circuit, two power semiconductor switches that can be activated and deactivated and have the same forward direction are connected in series. A free-wheeling diode is connected in parallel and in the opposite direction to each power semiconductor switch. A first connection terminal is connected to the energy store. A second connection terminal is connected to a potential point between the power semiconductor switches and to the free-wheeling diodes thereof. A bridging switch is disposed between the connection terminals for bridging the sub-module. The power semiconductors thereof are not destroyed upon closing the bridging switch and at least one connection terminal and/or a bridging branch that connects the two connection terminals to each other has an inductive component.