Abstract: The method for charging an electrochemical nickel-based battery having a predetermined nominal capacity, including at least one measurement of the voltage of the battery and one measurement of the temperature representative of the battery. The battery is connected to an intermittent source of energy. The charging of the battery is stopped when the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery reaches a voltage threshold, depending on the measured temperature and representative of a capacity charged in the battery corresponding to a charging efficiency equal to or higher than 90% of the maximum charging efficiency.

Abstract: Method for detecting an electric arc in a photovoltaic device by ultrasound, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: measuring (E1) at least one parameter among the amplitude of the signal, the duration of the signal and the central frequency of the signal, of a signal received by an ultrasound sensor (6); comparing (E2) the measurement of this at least one parameter of the signal with predefined values in order to determine whether the measurement corresponds to that of an electric arc.

Abstract: The charging method comprises limiting, according to the temperature, of the power supplied to the storage element to a charging setpoint power. The energy required to charge the storage element is determined and the period during which the power resource will be available is estimated. A theoretical mean power is calculated by means of these two items of information. The progressions of the temperature and of a maximum acceptable power are estimated. A maximum energy able to be delivered by the generator is calculated from the maximum acceptable power. The value of the charging setpoint power is defined by comparison of the required energy with the maximum energy and by comparison of the mean power with the maximum acceptable power.

Abstract: A voltage limiter device of an assembly of photovoltaic modules, including: (a) means (Z1) forming an electronic switch for a current of said assembly; (b) comparison means (Comp, R1, R2, C2) for comparing a voltage at the output of the limiter with a reference voltage value (Vref); and (c) means for controlling the means forming an electronic switch, depending on the result of the comparison carried out by the comparison means.

Abstract: The charging method comprises limiting, according to the temperature, of the power supplied to the storage element to a charging setpoint power. The energy required to charge the storage element is determined and the period during which the power resource will be available is estimated. A theoretical mean power is calculated by means of these two items of information. The progressions of the temperature and of a maximum acceptable power are estimated. A maximum energy able to be delivered by the generator is calculated from the maximum acceptable power. The value of the charging setpoint power is defined by comparison of the required energy with the maximum energy and by comparison of the mean power with the maximum acceptable power.

Abstract: An electrical short-circuit detection device includes a first signal processing module for receiving a signal representative of an electrical current and supplying a first signal representative of the value of the electrical current and a second signal representative of the differential of the electrical current, and a second processing module for receiving the signals and comprising a short-circuit detection module for supplying a detection signal according to a curve overshoot. The second processing module monitors a limit curve overshoot and a ratio between variations of the signals. A short-circuit detection signal is supplied when the ratio exceeds a preset threshold. A circuit breaker incorporates such a device. The process comprises monitoring limit curve overshoot and the ratio between variations of the signals.

Abstract: An electrical distribution device having a main part including a main breaking device, at least one secondary part having at least one secondary breaking device, and an electrical power distribution line connected between the main and secondary parts. The secondary breaking device includes secondary control circuit for enabling opening of at least one secondary breaking device if a current flowing in said breaking device is lower than a preset opening current threshold. A distributed electrical installation includes at least one such device. An electrical protection process for an electrical distribution device includes an opening step of the secondary breaking devices when a current flowing in these devices is lower than a preset opening current threshold following detection of a fault.

Abstract: The electrical short-circuit detection device comprises first signal processing means receiving a signal representative of an electrical current and supplying a first signal representative of the value of said electrical current and a second signal representative of the differential of said electrical current, and second processing means receiving said signals and comprising short-circuit detection means supplying a detection signal according to a curve overshoot. The second processing means monitor a limit curve overshoot and a ratio between variations of said signals. A short-circuit detection signal is supplied if said ratio exceeds a preset threshold. The circuit breaker incorporates such a device. The process comprises monitoring steps of limit curve overshoot and of the ratio between variations of the signals.

Abstract: The signal processing device comprises determining means to supply an output signal having a value representative of a time constant of a part of an input signal having an appreciably exponential form. The determining means comprise first integrating means to supply a first integration signal representative of integration of the input signal in two opposite directions for appreciably equal times. Extraction means connected to the first integrating means supply a value representative of a time constant as a function of the first integration signal. The process comprises integration and extraction steps to supply the value representative of a time constant.

Abstract: The signal processing device comprises determining means to supply an output signal having a value representative of a time constant of a part of an input signal having an appreciably exponential form. The determining means comprise first integrating means to supply a first integration signal representative of integration of the input signal in two opposite directions for appreciably equal times. Extraction means connected to the first integrating means supply a value representative of a time constant as a function of the first integration signal. The process comprises integration and extraction steps to supply the value representative of a time constant.

Abstract: The electrical distribution device comprises a main part comprising main breaking means, at least one secondary part comprising at least one secondary breaking device, and an electrical power distribution line connected between the main and secondary parts. The secondary part comprises secondary control means enabling opening of at least one secondary breaking device if a current flowing in said breaking device is lower than a preset opening current threshold. A distributed electrical installation comprises at least one such device. An electrical protection process for an electrical distribution device comprises an opening step of the secondary breaking means when a current flowing in these means is lower than a preset opening current threshold following detection of a fault.

Abstract: For a preset period following application of a closing order, the semi-conductor of the static power switch, supplied with DC voltage, is controlled by a regulating circuit so as to operate as a current generator limiting the current to a value much lower than its rated value. A fuse acts as measuring shunt. The switch can comprise a circuit breaker function. In this case, the fault detection circuit measures the voltage at the terminals of the semi-conductor and supplies an opening signal when this voltage exceeds a preset threshold.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a static switch electrically connected in series with a disconnecting switch having an operating mechanism with a handle to close and open a system of main contacts. A voltage sensor ocmprises an electromagnet with a moving core capable of occupying an active locking position and an inactive unlocking position of the mechanism, respectively in the on state and in the off state of the switch. Opening of the disconnecting switch is inhibited if voltage is present on the output terminals.