Abstract: Provided is a method and system that includes a direct current solid state power controller that includes a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel for performing switching, one or more main transient voltage suppressors (TVSs) to perform voltage clamping, a plurality of parasitic inductances each connected in series with a switching device of the plurality of switching devices, and a plurality of local TVSs each connected in parallel with a series connection of a switching device and at least one parasitic inductor of the plurality of parasitic inductances, to dissipate energy stored within the at least one parasitic inductor of the plurality of parasitic inductances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling voltage sharing between a set of switching components can include applying power from a current source with a positive lead and a negative lead, closing the set of switching components to connect power from the current source to an electrical load, detecting a set of voltage values for the set of switching components, and controlling a current limiting function of at least one of the set of switching components.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system that includes a direct current solid state power controller that includes a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel for performing switching, one or more main transient voltage suppressors (TVSs) to perform voltage clamping, a plurality of parasitic inductances each connected in series with a switching device of the plurality of switching devices, and a plurality of local TVSs each connected in parallel with a series connection of a switching device and at least one parasitic inductor of the plurality of parasitic inductances, to dissipate energy stored within the at least one parasitic inductor of the plurality of parasitic inductances.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling voltage sharing between a set of switching components can include applying power from a current source with a positive lead and a negative lead, closing the set of switching components to connect power from the current source to an electrical load, detecting a set of voltage values for the set of switching components, and controlling a current limiting function of at least one of the set of switching components.

Abstract: A method of testing a voltage protection device in a circuit is provided. The circuit comprises a source and load and a detector is provided in parallel with the protection device. The method comprises opening a switching device provided in the circuit. The method further comprises detecting a property of a voltage spike caused by the rate of change of current in the circuit inductance produced by the opening of the switching device to determine the condition of the protection device.

Abstract: A switching circuit for connection to a load and to a voltage source is provided. The switching circuit includes at least one switching device for switching on and off power to the load. A pulldown device is provided for shorting out the load thereby isolating the load from the voltage source; and a controller operable while the load is shorted to activate at least one of the switching devices at a time. The current passes through the activated switching device and is measurable to test whether the activated switching device is operating correctly.

Abstract: A switching circuit for connection to a load and to a voltage source is provided. The switching circuit comprises: at least one switching devices for switching on and off power to the load a pulldown device for shorting out the load thereby isolating the load from the voltage source; and a controller operable while the load is shorted to activate at least one of the switching devices at a time, wherein a current passes through the or each activated switching device and is measurable to test whether the or each activated switching device is operating correctly.

Abstract: A method of testing a voltage protection device in a circuit is provided. The circuit comprises a source and load and a detector is provided in parallel with the protection device. The method comprises opening a switching device provided in the circuit. The method further comprises detecting a property of a voltage spike caused by the rate of change of current in the circuit inductance produced by the opening of the switching device to determine the condition of the protection device.

Abstract: A flat panel lamp has internal walls forming a serpentine discharge path between two internal electrodes. Two glow mode electrodes in the form of interdigitated combs are laid on the outside of the front panel of the lamp, on top of the walls. The internal electrodes are connected to a first drive circuit; the glow mode electrodes are connected to a second drive circuit, which drives them at a frequency of about 10 MHz. At high brightness, only the internal electrodes are operative; at low brightness, only the glow mode electrodes are operative; and at intermediate brightness the two sets of electrodes are alternately energized.

Abstract: A cold cathode electrode for a discharge lamp has a metal substrate supporting a layer of diamond, so as to increase the electron yield of the electrode. The substrate may be a helical nickel wire with a layer of diamond forming it into a continuous tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent discharge lamp has two glow mode electrodes wound around it in a helical fashion. One circuit drives the main electrodes at opposite ends of the lamp at high levels of brightness. Another circuit drives the glow mode electrodes at low levels of brightness, at about 10MHz. At intermediate levels of brightness, both the main electrodes and the glow mode electrodes are driven, the two sets of electrodes being driven for alternate on and off periods with the glow mode electrodes being on when the main electrodes are off and the glow mode electrodes being off when the main electrodes are on.