Abstract: A low power consumption type automobile-mounted controller capable of switching so as not to continue power consumption of the automobile-mounted power source when the automobile has not been used over a long term.

Abstract: A constant-current FET functions as a constant current element by application of a constant voltage to the gate thereof. A first switch FET is disposed between the constant-current FET and a power supply without another switching element being disposed between the constant current FET and an output terminal. A second switch FET that performs an on/off operation in association with an on/off operation performed by the first switch FET is connected between the output terminal and ground.

Abstract: A method includes converting a first voltage into a second voltage. The second voltage is routed to a power supply line when the second voltage exceeds a first predefined threshold, and the second voltage is isolated from the power supply line when the first voltage decreases below a second predefined voltage.

Abstract: The protection circuit includes a reference voltage source and at least one circuit which are connected together via a switch. A memory element is connected to the input of the circuit, downstream of the switch. The switch is temporarily opened by a control signal generated by a monostable circuit when detecting switching of power elements belonging to an electronic device embedding the protection circuit. When the switch is open, the memory element supplies the circuit with the reference voltage previously stored. In this way, switching of the power element that might cause noise on the reference voltage cannot disturb the circuit and thereby cannot cause a faulty operation of the latter.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor circuit has at least two supply networks that are supplied independently of one another. The two supply networks include a first, load supply network, which is associated with a load circuit, and a second, driver supply network, which is associated with a driver circuit. Each supply network has a ground path with ground lines and a supply path with supply potential lines which are separate from the ground path. A compensating circuit is provided which alternatively couples the ground paths and/or the supply paths of the at least two supply networks to one another.

Abstract: A power control device including a remote switch box having a remote switch box having a remote safety switch and a micro-controller, and an interface box operably controlled by the micro-controller. When operated, the remote safety switch prevents unauthorized use of electrical appliances as well as: continued shutdown of electrical appliances after a power outage; regulation of power input for electrical appliances; and detached remote operation.

Abstract: A switching circuit has switching devices, detector and driver circuits, and a transformer. Each detector and driver circuit detects when a control and driving signal present on the transformer secondary is in an “on” or “off” state and, responsive thereto, drives the switching device on or off, respectively, by applying to it the control and driving signal. A control and driving signal includes a voltage waveform across a secondary winding. The detector and driver circuit has on-threshold and off-threshold detectors that respectively detect that the control and driving signal is in “on” or “off” states when its voltage reaches on-threshold or off-threshold voltages. Driver circuits drive the switching devices on or off responsive to the on-threshold or off-threshold detectors, respectively.

Abstract: A power switching circuit has: first and second voltage supply lines (2 and 3); a control signal input terminal (I); a load terminal (LT); and a measurement terminal (MT). A power semiconductor switch (M) has a main current carrying section (MC1 and MC2) and a sense current carrying section (SC1 and SC2) for carrying a current which is proportional to and smaller than the current carried by the main current carrying section. The main current carrying section is formed of a plurality of subsidiary current carrying sections (MC1 and MC2). Each subsidiary current carrying section has a subsidiary main current carrying electrode (S1 and S2) coupled to the load terminal (LT) so that the subsidiary electrodes together form the main current carrying electrode. Each subsidiary main current carrying section has a respective different control electrode (G1 and G2).

Abstract: An electronic device does not carry out control operation corresponding to a signal from an operation button which is kept in pressed state when electric power is supplied. When electric power is supplied, the voltage changing depending on open and closed state of switches SW1 to SW4 corresponding to operation buttons to be manipulated is judged to be a specified value or not. When the voltage is not judged to be specified value, the control unit does not carry out control operation corresponding to the signal from the operation button that has been in pressed state.

Abstract: A protecting circuit for a horizontal transistor used for protecting the horizontal transistor of a horizontal deflecting circuit in a cathode ray tube. The protecting circuit comprises a switching circuit and a power sensor. The switching circuit is coupled to at least one sub capacitor of a S-character correcting loop. When the switching circuit is on, the switching circuit further connects the sub capacitors and the main capacitor of the S-character correcting loop in parallel. The power sensor is for detecting whether the D.C. voltage source is on. When the power sensor detects that the D.C. voltage source is off, the power sensor will turn on the switching circuit. The invention reduces a surge of the cross voltage VCE of the horizontal transistor when the system is off, therefore the invention achieves the goals of protecting the horizontal transistor and raising yield of the products.

Abstract: An electrical system, such as a motor control system for a motorized wheelchair, includes a two-part electrical connector which connects a first sub-system to a second sub-system. A reference terminal of one part of the connector is connected to a voltage detecting circuit but is otherwise unconnected: in the event of the connector terminals corroding, a conductive path develops between the reference terminal and one of the other, active terminals and the voltage detecting circuit detects the resulting change in voltage at the reference terminal.

Abstract: A metal-air cell for powering electronic components in a hearing aid device. The metal-air cell has a flex circuit inside containing an anode mixture. The flex circuit comprises a flexible substrate having a cathode electrode area at one end of the substrate, an anode electrode area at another end of the substrate and an electronic components area in between. The flexible substrate is disposed within the housing. The cathode electrode area is near a top surface of the housing, and the anode electrode area is near a bottom surface of the housing and in contact with the anode mixture. The cathode electrode area has air flow means for permitting air into the housing. An isolation means between the cathode electrode area and the anode mixture is provided for preventing contact between the cathode electrode area and the anode mixture.

Abstract: A universal zero voltage transition switching cell using a small choke, a pair of switches, and a capacitor is revealed. The application of the universal zero voltage transition switching cell to any of a wide variety of hard switching pulse width modulated power converter topologies yields identical power converters with zero voltage switching properties, without the requirement that the magnetizing current in the main power choke be reversed during each switching cycle. In the subject invention the energy required to drive the critical zero voltage switching transition is provided by the small choke that forms part of the universal zero voltage transition switching cell. The application of the universal zero voltage transition switching cell to buck, boost, buck boost, Cuk, Wittenbreder, flyback, forward, and SEPIC converters is shown.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for reducing interfering longitudinal voltages on a two-wire line includes a reduction circuit for reducing the interfering longitudinal voltages, a detector coupled to the two-wire line that generates a switch-off signal in the absence of a push-pull signal on at least one of the cores in the two-wire line and a switch circuit that switches off the reduction circuit in response to the switch-off signal.

Abstract: A backup energy unit for an electrical device having a power source, an operational load, and containing a layered electrical device having a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface, such as an integrated chip or layered circuit board. The energy unit is made up of at least one energy storage device. This energy storage device is made up of a dielectric material and a first and a second electrical storage conducting layer. The dielectric material lies between the first and second electrical storage conducting layers. Further, the dielectric material exists between the top exterior surface and bottom exterior surface of the layered electrical device. The energy unit is further made up of a voltage detector to detect a potential level of the power source. When the voltage detector detects a power source disruption, that is when the potential level of the power source is below a first voltage state, it controls a switcher.

Abstract: The invention comprises a programmable emergency-stop circuit apparatus and method that provides advanced functions not found in other systems. The circuit centralizes the control of high voltage motor power into one place, by providing connections for, in its minimum configuration, several different kill switches, a motors-on button, and an AC motor power relay coil. In the present invention, kill switches, emergency-stop and motors-on buttons, computer ready and watchdog signals are all conveniently connected in one location, alongside the AC motor power relay coil driver.

Abstract: A switching circuitry and a switching method which reduces the influence of parasitic capacitance and provides improved signal performance at high frequencies. The circuitry may comprise a transistor having a source connected to an input node having an output resistance R2, and a drain is connected to the output node having an input resistance R3. The gate of the transistor is connected to a control node with output resistance R12 generating a control signal which opens or closes the transistor. By arranging that R1>>R2 (and assuming that R1≧R3), high frequency circuitry characteristics are dramatically improved, and the circuit provides high frequency voltage gain approaching unity and phase shift between the output and input voltages approaching zero to reduce signal degradation. Alternative arrangements may employ bipolar, FET, or MOS transistors or transistor pairs. The switching circuitry has numerous applications, e.g.

Abstract: A drive circuit for driving a switching element is provided which includes a high-side switching circuit connected between power supply lines, a low-side switching circuit connected in series with the high-side switching circuit through an output terminal leading to the switching element, and a voltage detector detecting a voltage appearing at the output terminal. When the voltage detected by the voltage detector is lower than a given off-decision voltage, that is, when the switching element is placed in the off-state, the low-side switching circuit is brought into the off-state, thereby reducing the current consumption thereof.

Abstract: In a load drive circuit, a charge pump circuit inputs a battery voltage of a power line, and outputs a raising voltage proportional to the battery voltage. A low voltage detecting circuit detects a low voltage state in which a detecting voltage obtained by dividing the raising voltage is lower than a reference voltage. Thus, it is possible to indirectly detect a low voltage state in which the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold value. When the low voltage state is detected, a drive circuit turns off a MOSFET. At this time, the battery voltage is temporarily varied, but the charge pump circuit has a filter action and a delay action, whereby temporary variation does not easily appear in the raising voltage (detecting voltage), and an error in operation of the MOSFET can be prevented.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for forecasting output voltage of a battery of a digital camera. A dummy load is disconnected after the digital camera is powered on. An output voltage of the battery is obtained when he dummy load is off. The dummy load is then conducted. An output voltage of the battery is obtained when the dummy load is on. An internal resistance of the battery and the output voltage of the battery in operating the power consumptive elements are determined based on the output voltages, so as to obtain the voltage drop of the output voltage of the battery caused by power consumptive elements thereby being aware of the remaining power of the battery and obtaining the maximum power supplying efficiency for the digital camera.

Abstract: The security to prevent theft of a central locking system for motor vehicles is improved by arranging a switch 34, 340, which can be switched by a coded signal, in the supply voltage lines 31 and/or 310 and/or 32 for driving an actuating element. (FIGS. 2, 3).

Abstract: An electronic instrument in which erroneous operation after power is applied thereto even in the case where a power source voltage is not quickly raised. Power is generated by a power source such as a thermoelectric conversion device and stored in a secondary battery or charge storage device through a optional boosting circuit. A control circuit and a main circuit are supplied with the power. However, the control circuit has a lower minimum operating voltage than the main circuit. Thus, with the increase in level of the power source voltage, the control circuit starts to operate before the main circuit and outputs a control signal to prevent the main circuit from operating in such a manner that a through current is prevented and the main circuit is prevented from drawing appreciable current from the power source circuit, which would prevent the voltage of the secondary battery or the charge storage device from increasing.

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment includes a carried-by-user detector for detecting whether the electronic equipment is in a state carried by a user or not. When the electronic equipment is in a state not carried by the user, i.e., when the user is not employing the electronic equipment, an operating mode is shifted from a normal operating mode to a power saving mode to reduce power consumption of the electronic equipment. Useless consumption of power during non-use of the electronic equipment can be thus reduced. Further, in electronic equipment (timepiece) incorporating a power generator for generating power by converting first energy (motion, pressure or heat) into electric energy as second energy, whether the power generator is generating power, i.e.

Abstract: An advanced power switching apparatus that is suitable for use in spacecraft and provides miniaturization, weight reduction, and improved reliability of power switching and protection functions. The apparatus provides greatly increased functionality, and is capable of switching power, isolating faults, and limiting in-rush and fault currents. The apparatus comprises a plurality of power switching circuits.

Abstract: A mechanically actuated power stealing solid state low energy switch providing a drop-in replacement for low energy mechanical switches. The present switch eliminates disadvantages of the mechanical switches. Power stealing is done on a constant basis to eliminate spikes, which might interfere with digital logic. Stealing logic with no diode drops allows low power operation on single CMOS substrate and omni-directional hook-up of a power supply with the most negative voltage being directed to the substrate. Hysteresis for the solid state switch is provided to mimic mechanical switch operation but without chatter of the latter.

Abstract: A power supply device produces a predetermined voltage from a supply voltage through a voltage follower composed of a plurality of transistors. The voltage follower has a function of preventing backflow current. The voltage follower has one end connected to the supply voltage and another end connected to a capacitor. A constant voltage generating circuit produces a constant voltage from the voltage across the capacitor. A switch circuit is connected between the supply voltage and the control electrode of one of the transistors constituting the voltage follower other than the first-stage transistor thereof. A voltage drop detecting circuit detects a drop below a predetermined level in the voltage across the capacitor, and turns on the switch circuit on detecting such a drop.

Abstract: A cooling fan controlling apparatus for a computer including a power management portion for managing a power management system (PMS) mode of the computer, and a switching portion having n parallel-connected resistors and n switches serially connected to the resistors and turned on/off according to the power management system mode managed by the power management portion, and serially connected to a power source for driving a cooling fan, for controlling a voltage supplied to the cooling fan, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Since voltages for driving a switching mode power supply cooling fan and a central processing unit cooling fan can be controlled by power save mode steps of a system, noises generated when the cooling fans rotate can be properly managed.

Abstract: In a circuit that controls the mean current flowing to a load 40 by turning ON or OFF in predetermined ratio the power source voltage VB applied to load 40 using for this purpose a switch means Sw1, a capacitor C1 is charged with the potential difference generated between the load 40 and power source whilst switch means Sw1 is OFF, and a voltage for control purposes which exceeds power source voltage VB is applied to drive circuit 20 using this stored voltage. A high side switch can thereby be implemented using N type semiconductor elements in a simple circuit.

Abstract: An electronic appliance, in addition to being of the type that is connected to another electronic appliance by way of a signal line and that permits the other electronic appliance to recognize establishment of connection between them on the basis of the voltage level on the signal line, allows this voltage level to be varied with the signal line kept connected. A signal terminal for connecting the signal line and a supplied-power line for supplying a voltage having a predetermined level are connected through a pull-up resistor and a transistor connected in series. The transistor is controlled by a controller so that, even after the electronic appliance starts receiving electric power, the transistor will be kept in a non-conducting state and thus the voltage on the supplied-power line will not be supplied to the signal terminal until the operation of various portions of the electronic appliance has been stabilized. The transistor may be controlled by being fed with a control signal from the outside.

Abstract: An output stage for an electronic sensor including two transistors connected in series to a junction therebetween to form a push/pull arrangement relative to a pair of supply lines provided with fixed supply voltages that are different for each line that are connected with different ones of the two transistors. The junction between the two transistors being connected to a sensor output line. Each of the transistors is driven by a respective drive line from an amplifier which receives an input signal corresponding to a sensor input signal. A fault detecting circuit is provided which includes circuitry to detect an open circuit fault condition in either of the two fixed voltage supply lines to disconnect the signal drive line leading to the associated one of the two transistors which is connected to the respective supply line that has been detected to have an open circuit fault.

Abstract: Current sense voltages (VCSl˜VCSn), which are the detected values of n (≧2) IGBTs connected in parallel, are converted into digital form, and thereafter, are subjected to an operation processing. After the current sense voltages (VCSl˜VCSn) are converted into collector currents (Il˜In) by use of constants (Gl˜Gn and VOFFSETl˜VOFFSETn)(step 103), current deviations (&Dgr;Il˜&Dgr;In) respectively defined as differences of the collector currents (Il˜In) from the average (IAVG) thereof are calculated (step 104, 105). Drive control voltages (VDl˜VDn) are renewed by changes (&Dgr;VDl˜&Dgr;VDn) which are respectively obtained by multiplying the current deviations (&Dgr;Il˜&Dgr;In) by factors (Kij)(step 106, 107). The drive control voltage (VDl˜VDn) are converted into analogue form, and thereafter, supplied to n IGBTs as their gate voltages (VGE).

Abstract: An automatic power turn-on circuit for a battery-powered measurement instrument. Instrument power is normally off, and when the instrument is connected to a voltage to be measured, the voltage that is sensed activates an electronic switch that in turn connects an internal battery to the processing and display circuits of the instrument. The voltage sense circuitry includes circuits for sensing either a positive or a negative voltage, and biasing a driver transistor into conduction. The driver transistor in turn activates the switch to connect the battery voltage to a power supply output node. An RC network holds the switch in the “on” position for a short period of time after the voltage to be measured is removed from the inputs of the instrument.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit 2 detects a voltage of a battery 1 and, when the voltage thus detected is within a tolerable input voltage of a power source unit 5, an on/off signal transmitter circuit 4 allows an on/off signal generator circuit 3 to transmit an on/off signal S2 to the power source unit 5. When the voltage of the battery 1 becomes lower than a lower limit of the tolerable input voltage range of the power source unit 5 due to increase of a power consumption of a load 6 thereof, the on/off signal transmitter circuit 4 transmits an off signal S3 to the power source unit 5 regardless of the on/off signal S2 from the on/off signal generator circuit 3. Thus, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of the load due to abnormal operation of the power source unit.

Abstract: An electric potential sensor, having: a power source including a first output terminal having a first electric potential, a second output terminal having a second electric potential; a first and a second potential dividing elements connected in series between the first output terminal and the second output terminal; a ground node connected to a mutual connection node of the first potential dividing element and the second potential dividing element; a first resistance element connected between the ground node and an output node; a second resistance element connected between the output node and a detection node; a transistor connected between the first output terminal and the detection node; a pickup device for controlling a base current or a gate voltage of said transistor such that an electric potential of the detection node is equal to an electric potential of a measuring object; and a third resistance element connected between said detection node and the second output terminal.

Abstract: In a high-voltage outdoor switch including a housing and an interrupter unit arranged in it, two current transformers are arranged on the enclosure of the switch, one to each side of the intrrupter unit. It was previously to install current transformers separate from high-voltage outdoor switches. The construction complexity and the costs are reduced by the constructional combination of the switch with the current transformers.

Abstract: An apparatus having a power supply terminal, a capacitor terminal, and a load terminal for distributing power from the power supply terminal to the capacitor terminal. The apparatus has a driver which supplies load current to the load terminal in response to a control signal, a controller which generates the control signal, and is coupled to the capacitor terminal, and a switching device. The switching device couples the power supply terminal to the controller and the capacitor terminal when the driver does not supply the load current to the load terminal, and decouples the power supply terminal from the controller and the capacitor terminal when the driver supplies the load current to the load terminal. As a result, the controller is effectively isolated from the noisy power supply.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for supplying power to electronic tripping devices from a current-transforming device. A switched-mode power supply unit, in particular a choke/step-up transforming device having a pulse-width voltage control, is connected downstream of a charging capacitor. Once a set point of the output voltage at an output capacitor is reached, only a very high pulse duty factor is provided. Particularly, maximum power point control is provided during an initial charging phase. Circuit configurations of this kind serve the power supply of overvoltage tripping devices in low-voltage and medium-voltage systems.

Abstract: A backup energy unit for an electrical device having a power source, an operational load, and containing a layered electrical device having a top exterior surface and a bottom exterior surface, such as an integrated chip or layered circuit board. The energy unit is made up of at least one energy storage device. This energy storage device is made up of a dielectric material and a first and a second electrical storage conducting layer. The dielectric material lies between the first and second electrical storage conducting layers. Further, the dielectric material exists between the top exterior surface and bottom exterior surface of the layered electrical device. The energy unit is further made up of a voltage detector to detect a potential level of the power source. When the voltage detector detects a power source disruption, that is when the potential level of the power source is below a first voltage state, it controls a switcher.

Abstract: A switching station for high or medium voltage offers a simple and practicable configuration for information transmission with a high security against failure. Panel devices are connected through a first bus line to a central control device. The panel devices feed a second bus line to which control devices of switching devices of the switch panel are connected. The second bus line is formed by an auxiliary line of the switching station.

Abstract: A switching circuit that is particularly applicable to high voltage 3 phase solid state circuit breakers (SSCB). The circuit comprises a solid state switch; an energy absorbing device connected in parallel with said switch to form a parallel combination; an inductor connected in series with said parallel combination; and a control circuit connected to said solid state switch and adapted to turn off said switch in response to a predetermined voltage/current condition.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for supplying a power voltage to a microcomputer is provided. The power supply circuit for a microcomputer includes a power supply portion, a start switch for selecting a start or stop of a control operation of the mcirocomputer, and a power switching portion for opening or closing the power voltage which is supplied to the microcomputer from the power supply portion according to the selection of the start switch. Thus, the power voltage is not supplied to the microcomputer until a user turns on the start switch, to thereby prevent an idling operation of the microcomputer.

Abstract: The safety device of industrial robot of the invention is intended to assure safety of the operator for teaching operation of an industrial robot.In the safety device of the industrial robot of the invention, a switch having two contacts working simultaneously is used as the dead-man's switch provided in the teaching pendant, and by monitoring the open or closed state of the two contacts working simultaneously, fusion of contact is judged by miss-matching of the opening and closing action, and the operation of the robot is stopped immediately. Besides, as an over-travel switch for actuating when the robot main body gets out of the normal moving range, a switch having two contacts working simultaneously is used, and by monitoring the open or closed state of the two contacts working simultaneously, fusion of contact is judged by miss-matching-of the opening and closing state, and the operation of the robot is stopped immediately.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery for a portable electric apparatus has at least one battery cell and a fuse device connected in series with the battery cell. Furthermore, the battery has a voltage-controlled active device, which is connected in parallel to the battery cell and which is arranged to assume a substantially non-conductive state and a conductive state, respectively, in response to the voltage at a control input, and a reference voltage device, which is connected to the control input of the active device. The active device is arranged to switch from the non-conductive state to the conductive state, when the voltage across the battery cell deviates, by a predetermined value, from a reference voltage supplied by the reference voltage device, thereby establishing a short circuit across the battery cell and release of the fuse device. The voltage-controlled active device, the reference voltage device and the fuse device form an integrated electronic component.

Abstract: A connection arrangement for secondary distribution systems which effects a connection in the state free of short circuits, within permissible performance quantities, by means of at least one interrupter assembly. Besides current and voltage sensors with a processing module, a connection branch parallel to the load, and a bridge branch, along the lines of a voltage divider, are also used to safeguard against making operations in case of a short circuit. The interrupter assembly is bridged by the bridge branch which, according to the function, contains an ON switch. In the event of a short circuit, the voltage at the actuating element does not suffice to close the interrupter assembly.

Abstract: An improved battery management circuit and system are disclosed. The improved battery management system relates to the type having at least one battery cell that is connected in a circuit with battery powered components, a current sensing resistance that is located in series within the circuit, voltage measurement circuitry that measures the voltage that develops across the current sensing resistance in proportion to the current flowing through the resistance, a cutout switch that is located in series within the circuit, and means for opening the cutout switch when the measured voltage is too high. The improvement is a single circuit element which functions as the current sensing resistance and as the cutout switch, the single circuit element having first and second electrodes and a control electrode that turns the first and second electrodes "on" and "off" and wherein the current sensing resistance is an on-resistance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A power supply system (300) provides a staged startup of multiple loads (303, 305). Preferably, the power supply (300) is a switching power supply that provides power, in the form of a primary output voltage to a first output terminal (319) and to a second output terminal (325). A first load (303) demands a first startup power from the switching power supply through the first output terminal (319). A voltage comparator (333) provides an enable signal (335) when a primary output signal, present at the first output terminal, exceeds a predetermined threshold (335). A load coupling device, preferably a gateable voltage regulator (331), is coupled to the second output terminal (325). The gateable voltage regulator (331) has an output (327) coupled to a second load (305).

Abstract: An electronic apparatus such as a digital wide area pager has a receiver IC (10) capable of operating directly from a single cell battery (24) for as long as the terminal voltage (V.sub.BAT) is above a specified minimum voltage. Other ICs (14, 16) of the pager operate at a higher voltage supplied by a multiplier (26) connected to the battery (24). The multiplier (26) is able to operate at values of V.sub.BAT below the specified minimum voltage. A control circuit (34) determines when the terminal voltage (V.sub.BAT) decays below the specified minimum voltage and supplies the receiver IC (10) with a stepped-down voltage from the multiplier (26) to ensure its sensitivity remains acceptable.

Abstract: A variable termination load switch (102) is provided to enable transmission and group delay measurements to be made of a device under test (DUT) (103) using only one port of a vector network analyzer (VNA) (100). The variable termination load switch (102) selectively provides an open or a short based upon a signal provided to its control input (106). The variable termination load switch (102) has a load port (113) for connecting to one port of the DUT and the VNA port is connected to another port of the DUT during testing. The variable termination load switch (102) includes a diode (143) connected by a resistor (149) to the control input (106). The diode (143) has connected parallel transistors (141, 142) and a series transistor (140) to provide a load impedance matching the DUT impedance when the load is functioning either as a short or an open. Isolation capacitors (145) and (146) reduce the affect of AC signals from the control input (106).

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and device for implementing a dynamic End of Discharge Voltage (EODV) for rechargeable batteries and battery packs (batteries/packs). This dynamic EODV can be adjusted based on, for example, environment, operating conditions, temperature, residual capacity, cell chemistry, cell size, form factor, discharge rate, and/or the number of charge/discharge cycles the battery has undergone. The subject invention can provide for enhanced run time from each discharge cycle of the battery/pack. In addition, the subject invention can provide for more accurate save-to-disk alarms, while ensuring adequate energy for the actual save to disk operation. Furthermore, the subject invention can also extend the useful life of the battery/pack.

Abstract: An AC transfer switch is provided for switching between a first line cord and a second line cord. The AC transfer switch is designed to be fault tolerant and ensures that continuous operating power is supplied to a load during the transfer process. The system includes a first input from a first power line cord, a second input from a second power line cord, a switch for switching an output between the first and second power line cord, wherein the switch further includes a first contactor set for selecting the first line cord and a second contactor set for selecting the second line cord, the first and second contactor sets including two contactors in series and a control circuit for controlling the switch to select between the first and second power line cords.