Abstract: A circuit for a recloser controls the flow of current through an actuator coil to selectively open or close the electrical contacts of the recloser. The circuit utilizes pairs of transistors and pairs of diodes to apply the charge on a capacitor to open or close the contacts and to recharge the capacitor when the contacts open or close. The potential on the capacitor opposes current flow through the actuator coil for rapid decay of the actuator coil current, which also enables a rapid opening of the contacts after closure into a high current fault or the like. The capacitor also protects the transistors from voltage transients. Related methods are also presented.

Abstract: The recloser control apparatus is compatible with reclosers from various recloser manufacturers. The recloser control apparatus includes a protective relay for power lines which is responsive to voltage and current values from the power line to identify faults on the line, and operates in combination with a recloser apparatus to restore power to areas of the power system which are unaffected by a fault but which have initially been put out-of-service in response to the fault. The apparatus includes a control interface capable of being selectively modified to provide control signals for a plurality of different reclosers having different control signal requirements for operation of their trip and close control circuits.