Abstract: A high-voltage bidirectional switch, including a high-voltage bidirectional switching element, and circuitry for making the switching element bistable and controllable by, at most, two low-voltage pulse signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a normally-on bidirectional switch, including, in parallel between two power terminals of the switch, a first cathode-gate thyristor, the anode of which is connected to a first power terminal, a second anode-gate thyristor, the anode of which is connected to a second power terminal, and a resistor in series with a controllable switch, the midpoint of this series association being connected to the respective gates of the two thyristors. The present invention also provides a monolithic integration of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for controlling a triac at the voltage zero. Two transistors of complementary types are connected in parallel between the gate and the main reference terminal of the triac. The control terminals of the transistors are interconnected and connected to the second main terminal of the triac via a resistor of high value. The gate of the triac is connected to a control potential source via a second resistor.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit is formed by a voltage clipping component disposed between two inputs of a circuit to be protected, and a current limitation device connected, in series with the voltage clipping component, between one of the inputs and a bias connection terminal.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit for providing a rectified supply voltage to an output capacitor. The power conversion circuit includes: a rectifying circuit; a power factor correction circuit; a resistor for limiting inrush current, the resistor being operatively connected between the rectifying circuit and the power factor correction circuit, the capacitor being connected to the output of this power factor correction circuit; and a switch that is operatively connected for short circuiting the resistor, the output capacitor being connected across the output terminals of the power factor correction circuit, the switch being activated when the output voltage of the power factor correction circuit exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device designed to be connected in series between a load and an electric supply includes a switch which is controlled by a voltage present across a current limiting device. The switch is formed by a GTO thyristor connected in series with the current limiting device. The output of the current limiting device is connected to the load.