Abstract: A switching apparatus includes first and second electric terminals, and first and second electric branches comprising one or more switching devices. The second electric branch is electrically connected in parallel with said first electric branch between said first and second electric terminals. The switching apparatus comprises a current blocking circuit adapted to block a current along said second branch. The current blocking circuit includes a first switching device of solid-state type and a first electronic circuit electrically connected in parallel to said first switching device of solid-state type. The switching apparatus further comprises a current limiting circuit adapted to limit a current flowing along said second electric branch.

Abstract: An arc chamber for a DC circuit breaker includes an entry side adapted to receive an electric arc, which was generated outside of the arc chamber and which propagates in a forward direction, a plurality of stacked splitter plates, and at least one inhibitor barrier. The at least one inhibitor barrier is arranged on the entry side to inhibit a reverse propagation of the electric arc out of the arc chamber in a reverse direction. DC circuit breaker comprising an arc chamber. Use of an arc chamber with a circuit breaker in a DC electrical system.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for an electric grid includes first and second electric terminals, each having first and second electric branches having a plurality of switching devices. The first electric branch includes a first switching device switchable between open and closed states, which is driven by a current flowing along said first switching device and without receiving an external control signal or an external power supply, said first switching device switching from said closed state to said open state, when the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or when the changing rate of the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or upon a combination of these two conditions. A second switching device is connected in series with the first switching device and is switchable between closed and open states upon receiving a corresponding input control signal.

Abstract: A switching apparatus includes first and second electric terminals, and first and second electric branches comprising one or more switching devices. The second electric branch is electrically connected in parallel with said first electric branch between said first and second electric terminals. The switching apparatus comprises a current blocking circuit adapted to block a current along said second branch. The current blocking circuit includes a first switching device of solid-state type and a first electronic circuit electrically connected in parallel to said first switching device of solid-state type. The switching apparatus further comprises a current limiting circuit adapted to limit a current flowing along said second electric branch.

Abstract: A switching apparatus for an electric grid includes first and second electric terminals, each having first and second electric branches having a plurality of switching devices. The first electric branch includes a first switching device switchable between open and closed states, which is driven by a current flowing along said first switching device and without receiving an external control signal or an external power supply, said first switching device switching from said closed state to said open state, when the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or when the changing rate of the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or upon a combination of these two conditions. A second switching device is connected in series with the first switching device and is switchable between closed and open states upon receiving a corresponding input control signal.

Abstract: An arc chamber for a DC circuit breaker includes an entry side adapted to receive an electric arc, which was generated outside of the arc chamber and which propagates in a forward direction, a plurality of stacked splitter plates, and at least one inhibitor barrier. The at least one inhibitor barrier is arranged on the entry side to inhibit a reverse propagation of the electric arc out of the arc chamber in a reverse direction. DC circuit breaker comprising an arc chamber. Use of an arc chamber with a circuit breaker in a DC electrical system.

Abstract: An arc chamber for a DC circuit breaker includes an entry side adapted to receive an electric arc, which was generated outside of the arc chamber and which propagates in a forward direction, a plurality of stacked splitter plates, and at least one inhibitor barrier. The at least one inhibitor barrier is arranged on the entry side to inhibit a reverse propagation of the electric arc out of the arc chamber in a reverse direction. DC circuit breaker comprising an arc chamber. Use of an arc chamber with a circuit breaker in a DC electrical system.

Abstract: An arc chamber for a DC circuit breaker includes an entry side adapted to receive an electric arc, which was generated outside of the arc chamber and which propagates in a forward direction, a plurality of stacked splitter plates, and at least one inhibitor barrier. The at least one inhibitor barrier is arranged on the entry side to inhibit a reverse propagation of the electric arc out of the arc chamber in a reverse direction. DC circuit breaker comprising an arc chamber. Use of an arc chamber with a circuit breaker in a DC electrical system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a direct current switching apparatus including at least a first mechanical switching device which is suitable to be positioned along an operating path of an associated DC circuit and includes a fixed contact and a corresponding movable contact which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position along the operating path, wherein an electric arc can ignite between the contacts under separation. The switching apparatus includes an electronic circuit having a semiconductor device which is suitable to be positioned along a secondary path and connected in parallel with the first mechanical switching device. The electronic circuit can be configured to commute the flow of current from the operating path to the secondary path and extinguish an electric arc ignited when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact when the first mechanical switching device fails to extinguish the same.

Abstract: A power electronics module for enhancing short circuit failure mode (SCFM) transitions. The module is adapted to disconnect a gate unit from the module using a first switch, upon a failure of at least one of a plurality of semiconductor chips during which the failed chip enters an SCFM, and connect a passive circuit arrangement, including at least one capacitor and at least one resistor, to the module using a second switch. The passive circuit arrangement is adapted to switch on at least one of the remaining non-failed semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A power electronics module for enhancing short circuit failure mode (SCFM) transitions. The module is adapted to disconnect a gate unit from the module using a first switch, upon a failure of at least one of a plurality of semiconductor chips during which the failed chip enters an SCFM, and connect a passive circuit arrangement, including at least one capacitor and at least one resistor, to the module using a second switch. The passive circuit arrangement is adapted to switch on at least one of the remaining non-failed semiconductor chips.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a direct current switching apparatus including at least a first mechanical switching device which is suitable to be positioned along an operating path of an associated DC circuit and includes a fixed contact and a corresponding movable contact which can be actuated between a closed position and an open position along the operating path, wherein an electric arc can ignite between the contacts under separation. The switching apparatus includes an electronic circuit having a semiconductor device which is suitable to be positioned along a secondary path and connected in parallel with the first mechanical switching device. The electronic circuit can be configured to commute the flow of current from the operating path to the secondary path and extinguish an electric arc ignited when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact when the first mechanical switching device fails to extinguish the same.