Abstract: A power conversion unit includes a power converter and a controller coupled to the secondary or output stage of the power converter. The power conversion unit is configured to generate an output test voltage or current during a pre-start test period of the power converter, where the output test voltage or current is monitored to determine a converter fault condition. A method of operating a power conversion unit is also included.

Abstract: A bias supply, a method of communicating data across an isolation barrier and a power supply are provided herein. In one embodiment, the bias supply includes: (1) a bias supply transformer having a primary winding inductively coupled to a secondary winding across an isolation barrier, (2) a controller configured to direct operation of the bias supply and (3) bias voltage manipulating circuitry, coupled to an input of the controller, configured to receive primary data and based thereon alter a secondary bias output voltage of the secondary winding between defined voltage levels by varying a voltage provided to the controller, the controller and the bias voltage manipulating circuitry located on the primary side.

Abstract: A power conversion unit includes a power converter and a controller coupled to the secondary or output stage of the power converter. The power conversion unit is configured to generate an output test voltage or current during a pre-start test period of the power converter, where the output test voltage or current is monitored to determine a converter fault condition. A method of operating a power conversion unit is also included.

Abstract: A fault detector for use with a telephone wire-pair having a return conductor and an output conductor, a method of protecting a telecommunications network including the telephone wire-pair and a power supply for the telecommunications network. In one embodiment, the fault detector includes (1) a passive sensor coupled between Earth and the wire-pair to detect a ground fault thereon, (2) an amplifier having inputs coupled across the passive sensor and configured to characterize the ground fault in terms of a value and (3) a controller configured to receive the value via an output of the amplifier and compare the value to a threshold to determine if the ground fault exceeds a safety limit.

Abstract: A bias supply, a method of communicating data across an isolation barrier and a power supply are provided herein. In one embodiment, the bias supply includes: (1) a bias supply transformer having a primary winding inductively coupled to a secondary winding across an isolation barrier, (2) a controller configured to direct operation of the bias supply and (3) bias voltage manipulating circuitry, coupled to an input of the controller, configured to receive primary data and based thereon alter a secondary bias output voltage of the secondary winding between defined voltage levels by varying a voltage provided to the controller, the controller and the bias voltage manipulating circuitry located on the primary side.

Abstract: An interrupter, a method of responding to a monitored event and an IC are disclosed. In one embodiment, the interrupter includes: (1) a monitoring circuit configured to monitor for an occurrence of at least one event and generate an external event signal when detecting the occurrence, (2) a microprocessor, having: (2A) at least one functional pin and (2B) a reset input pin, coupled to the monitoring circuit, the microprocessor configured to begin a reset process in response to receiving the external event signal at the reset input pin and thereby set the functional pin to a reset state, and (3) a responding circuit coupled to the functional pin and configured to initiate a predetermined action when the functional pin is set to a reset state.

Abstract: An interrupter, a method of responding to a monitored event and an IC are disclosed. In one embodiment, the interrupter includes: (1) a monitoring circuit configured to monitor for an occurrence of at least one event and generate an external event signal when detecting the occurrence, (2) a microprocessor, having: (2A) at least one functional pin and (2B) a reset input pin, coupled to the monitoring circuit, the microprocessor configured to begin a reset process in response to receiving the external event signal at the reset input pin and thereby set the functional pin to a reset state, and (3) a responding circuit coupled to the functional pin and configured to initiate a predetermined action when the functional pin is set to a reset state.

Abstract: A fault detector for use with a telephone wire-pair having a return conductor and an output conductor, a method of protecting a telecommunications network including the telephone wire-pair and a power supply for the telecommunications network. In one embodiment, the fault detector includes (1) a passive sensor coupled between Earth and the wire-pair to detect a ground fault thereon, (2) an amplifier having inputs coupled across the passive sensor and configured to characterize the ground fault in terms of a value and (3) a controller configured to receive the value via an output of the amplifier and compare the value to a threshold to determine if the ground fault exceeds a safety limit.