Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical low-voltage circuit for a protective switching device. A mechanical break contact unit, which is switched by opening or closing contacts for current flow in the low-voltage circuit, and an electronic interrupter, which is switched by semiconductor-based switching elements into a high-impedance state or a low-impedance state of the switching elements, are connected in series. If the level of current in the low-voltage circuit exceeds a current threshold value, prevention of current flow through the low-voltage circuit is initiated by high-impedance switching of the electronic interrupter. When the electronic interrupter is high impedance or switched to high impedance, the level of current in the low-voltage circuit continues to be determined, and if a first residual current threshold value is exceeded, the contacts of the mechanical break contact unit are opened.

Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical low-voltage circuit includes ascertaining the level of the voltage of the low-voltage circuit in the form of instantaneous voltage values. A change in the current is ascertained over time such that instantaneous current change values are provided. The instantaneous current change values are compared to instantaneous current change threshold values in order to recognize a short circuit in the low-voltage circuit, and if the current change thresholds are exceeded, an electronic interruption unit switches from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state in order to interrupt the low-voltage current circuit. The process has a trigger time from the short circuit event to the high-resistance state. The trigger time is largely independent of the phase angle. A circuit breaker device for protecting an electrical low-voltage circuit is also provided.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device protects an electrical low-voltage current circuit. The level of a current of the low-voltage current circuit is ascertained periodically such that current values are provided incrementally. The level of the voltage of the low-voltage current circuit is ascertained periodically such that voltage values are provided incrementally. The change in the current is ascertained from the periodically ascertained current values over time such that current change values are provided incrementally, and a differential voltage is ascertained from the periodically ascertained voltage values and an expected value of the voltage such that differential voltage values are provided incrementally. Each current change value is compared with a second threshold, and each differential voltage value is compared with a first threshold. If the first and second thresholds are exceeded, an interruption of the current circuit is initiated by switching elements being set to a high-ohmic state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device has a mechanical break contact unit connected in series with an electronic interruption unit. The mechanical break contact unit is switched by breaking contacts to prevent current from flowing or by closing the contacts to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic interruption unit is switched by semiconductor-based switching elements into a high-impedance state of the switching elements to prevent current from flowing or into a low-impedance state of the switching elements to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. An amplitude of the current in the low-voltage circuit is ascertained such that analog momentary current values are provided which are compared with a current threshold value by an analog comparator, and if the threshold value is exceeded, prevention of current flowing in the low-voltage circuit is initiated, in particular by switching the electronic interruption unit into the high-impedance state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device for protecting a low-voltage electric circuit includes a mechanical break contact unit connected in series with an electronic interruption unit. The break contact unit is switchable by opening contacts to prevent current flow or by closing the contacts to allow current flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic interruption unit is switchable by semiconductor-based switching elements into a high-resistance state of the switching elements to prevent current flow or into a low-resistance state of the switching elements to allow current flow in the low-voltage circuit. The amplitude of the current in the low-voltage circuit is ascertained to provide instantaneous current values which are compared with at least one current threshold value, and if the threshold value is exceeded, prevention of current flowing in the low-voltage circuit is initiated. The at least one current threshold value is adjusted according to a temperature level of the circuit breaker device.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device for a low-voltage circuit has a mechanical isolating contact unit connected in series with an electronic disconnection unit. The mechanical isolating contact unit is switched by opening contacts to prevent current flow or closing the contacts for current flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic disconnection circuit is switched by semiconductor-based switching elements into a high-resistance state of the switching elements or into a low-resistance state of the switching elements for current flow in the low-voltage circuit. When the amount of an instantaneous current value of the low-voltage circuit exceeds at least one current threshold value, prevention of the current flow of the low-voltage circuit is initiated. The at least one current threshold value is adjusted according to the magnitude of the voltage of the circuit breaker device.

Abstract: A circuit breaker device protects an electric low-voltage current circuit. A level of a voltage of a low-voltage current circuit is ascertained such that ascertained voltage values are provided. A differential voltage is ascertained from the ascertained voltage values and an expected value of the voltage such that differential voltage values are provided incrementally. Each differential voltage value is compared with a first threshold, and if at least two successive differential voltage values exceed the threshold, an interruption of the low-voltage current circuit is initiated by semiconductor-based switching elements, which are set to a high-ohmic state, in order to protect the low-voltage current circuit from a short-circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for a low-voltage electric circuit includes a mechanical break contact unit which is connected in series with an electronic interrupting unit. The mechanical break contact unit is switched by breaking contacts to prevent current from flowing or by closing the contacts to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic interrupting unit switches semiconductor-based switching elements into a high-impedance state to prevent current from flowing or into a low-impedance state to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. The amplitude of the current in the low-voltage circuit is ascertained as instantaneous current values. If the instantaneous current value is exceeded relative to at least one current threshold value, prevention of current flowing in the low-voltage circuit is initiated. The at least one current threshold value is adapted in dependence on the amplitude of the current in the low-voltage circuit.

Abstract: A method for actuating a semiconductor power switch of an AC circuit is provided, which can be activated or deactivated by the semiconductor power switch. The method has the following steps: a) ascertaining the present current value and the present voltage value of the AC circuit; b) ascertaining whether the present current value exceeds a specifiable maximum value and if so, c1) generating an actuation signal for deactivating the current circuit, c2) generating an actuation signal for activating the current circuit within a period of time after generating the actuation signal for deactivating the current circuit, wherein the period of time is less than or equal to the period duration of the voltage, and c3) ascertaining whether the present current value exceeds a specifiable maximum value, which corresponds to the previous maximum value or is less than the previous maximum value, after activating the current circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker has line-side terminals and load-side terminals for conductors of a low-voltage circuit. A mechanical break contact system is connected to the line-side terminals for indirect-coupling of the low-voltage circuit, and the other end of the break contact system is connected to an electronic interruption unit which has, by use of semiconductor-based switching elements, a high-impedance state of the switching elements to prevent current from flowing and a low-impedance state of the switching elements to allow current to flow in the low-voltage circuit. The electronic interruption unit is connected to the load-side terminals at the other end. The mechanical break contact system can be manually actuated such that contacts of the mechanical break contact system can be manually closed to allow current to flow and be manually opened to interrupt the flow of current in the low-voltage circuit.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a DC coupled electrical converter for converting an input voltage applied to first connections to an output voltage comprising: a boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; an inverting buck-boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; and a series circuit including two capacitors, the series circuit connected to an output-side positive pole of the boost converter and to an output-side negative pole of the inverting buck-boost converter. An output-side negative pole of the boost converter and an output-side positive pole of the inverting buck-boost converter are connected to a center connection between the capacitors.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a half-bridge comprising: a first power semiconductor; a second power semiconductor connected in series with the first power conductor; a controller for the power semiconductors; a line starting at connection node of the power semiconductors; and a meter for measuring the current in the line. The controller is configured to: compare the current with an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value; switch off the first power semiconductor if the upper threshold value is reached; switch on the second power semiconductor after a first dead time has elapsed; and switch off the second power semiconductor if the lower threshold value is reached; and switch on the first power semiconductor after a second dead time has elapsed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a solar micro-inverter for converting a DC voltage provided by a solar panel to an AC voltage, the solar micro-inverter including an electrical circuit without a transformer. The solar micro-inverter has an installation height of no more than 24 mm.

Abstract: An inverter that is a micro-photovoltaic inverter includes a DC-DC converter on an input side of the inverter. The DC-DC converter has three output voltage levels. The inverter also includes an inverter element having at least three input voltage levels. The inverter element is electrically connected to the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an electrically operated vehicle comprising: an electric motor for driving the vehicle; a battery for supplying electrical power to the electric motor; a first charging connection socket for connecting a charging cable for electrically recharging the battery; and a second charging connection socket for connecting a second charging cable for electrically recharging the battery.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a half-bridge comprising: a first power semiconductor; a second power semiconductor connected in series with the first power conductor; a controller for the power semiconductors; a line starting at connection node of the power semiconductors; and a meter for measuring the current in the line. The controller is configured to: compare the current with an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value; switch off the first power semiconductor if the upper threshold value is reached; switch on the second power semiconductor after a first dead time has elapsed; and switch off the second power semiconductor if the lower threshold value is reached; and switch on the first power semiconductor after a second dead time has elapsed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an electrically operated vehicle comprising: an electric motor for driving the vehicle; a battery for supplying electrical power to the electric motor; a first charging connection socket for connecting a charging cable for electrically recharging the battery; and a second charging connection socket for connecting a second charging cable for electrically recharging the battery.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a DC coupled electrical converter for converting an input voltage applied to first connections to an output voltage comprising: a boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; an inverting buck-boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; and a series circuit including two capacitors, the series circuit connected to an output-side positive pole of the boost converter and to an output-side negative pole of the inverting buck-boost converter. An output-side negative pole of the boost converter and an output-side positive pole of the inverting buck-boost converter are connected to a center connection between the capacitors.

Abstract: The switching performance of a half-bridge arrangement particularly for a converter shall be improved. For this purpose, a half-bridge arrangement has a circuit board having at least four trace layers and two switching elements and a capacitor device arranged on opposite sides of the circuit board and interconnected so as to produce, during a commutation event of the half-bridge arrangement, at least two dipoles having opposite spatial directions.

Abstract: The switching performance of a half-bridge arrangement particularly for a converter shall be improved. For this purpose, a half-bridge arrangement has a circuit board having at least four trace layers and two switching elements and a capacitor device arranged on opposite sides of the circuit board and interconnected so as to produce, during a commutation event of the half-bridge arrangement, at least two dipoles having opposite spatial directions.