Abstract: A direct current (DC) overvoltage monitoring and protection device includes an overvoltage sensor operably connected to an electrical power input line. The overvoltage sensor is configured to change state upon detection of a voltage over a preselected threshold. An overvoltage relay is operably connected to the overvoltage sensor. The overvoltage relay includes one or more relay switches configured to move between a first position and a second position when the voltage over the preselected threshold is detected. An independent relay power source is operably connected to the overvoltage relay to provide electrical power to the overvoltage relay, separate from the electrical power being monitored via the electrical power input line.

Abstract: A composite switch with diode contact protection based on a diode is disclosed and includes a primary relay contact protection circuit, a primary relay contact and a relay control circuit, where the primary relay contact protection circuit is formed by an auxiliary relay contact and a diode connected in series and is connected with the primary relay contact in parallel, a current capacity of the auxiliary relay contact is 1/10 to 1/1000 of a current capacity of the primary relay contact.

Abstract: To provide a power supply relay controller and an electric power steering apparatus capable of appropriately preventing contact failure of relays. When abnormal conduction between relay contacts occurs, a power supply relay circuit is opened and closed while a predetermined potential difference is applied between the relay contacts. At this time, an operation for turning on the relay contacts is performed while the charge of an electrolytic capacitor by a precharge circuit is limited. In this way, an ice layer between the relay contacts is removed by thermal energy of an arc that is generated between the contacts by a potential difference between the relay contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery management system for at least one battery cell, for example a lithium-ion battery cell, and to a motor vehicle and to a battery system. A battery management system for at least one battery cell is configured in such a way that, in reaction to a triggering signal, said battery management system can make available a current path between poles of the at least one battery cell. In this context, the current path is configured in such a way that by making available the current path a light arc in a fuse of the at least one battery cell after the triggering of the fuse is prevented or ended. This increases the protection against hazards which can arise from a battery cell in hazardous situations for a vehicle.

Abstract: An electric motor that includes a contact arc inducing apparatus is described. The electric motor includes an input terminal configured for coupling with a relay that includes contacts that are electrically coupled when closed and separated by an air gap when open. The input terminal configured to receive power from the relay when the contacts are closed, wherein a predefined arc voltage and arc current facilitate an electric discharge across the contacts when the contacts are transitioned from closed to open. The contact arc inducing apparatus is coupled to the input terminal and configured to provide to the input terminal a current greater than the arc current of the relay and a voltage greater than the arc voltage of the relay during a contact bounce.

Abstract: A switching arrangement is disclosed comprising: a control circuit; a latching relay controlled by the control circuit for connecting an AC source to an AC load; and a relief circuit in parallel with the relay and controlled by the control circuit. The relief circuit has two modes of operation: an inactive mode in which the relief circuit is non-conductive and an active mode in which the relief circuit is at least partially conductive. The relief circuit is partially conductive when spending both a time period in a conductive state and a time period in a non-conductive state during a half-cycle of the AC. The control circuit is configured to switch the relief circuit from inactive mode to active mode, and upon switching to active mode, to set the relief circuit as partially conductive for at least two half-cycles, wherein the proportion of time the relief circuit is conductive compared to non-conductive is increased for successive ones of the at least two half-cycles.

Abstract: In a memory, the surface temperature and the internal resistance of an assembled battery detected under the condition where a difference between the surface and the internal temperature is within a predetermined value are stored, and an internal temperature diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether or not the internal temperature estimated by an internal temperature estimation unit is correct, detects the internal resistance with an internal resistance calculation unit when the internal temperature estimation unit estimates the internal temperature, searches for an internal resistance corresponding to the surface temperature equal to the estimated internal temperature value from among the stored internal resistances, and diagnoses the estimated internal temperature value based upon the result of comparison of a search result of the internal resistance and the internal resistance detected during internal temperature estimation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an HVDC switchyard arranged to interconnect a first part of a DC grid with a second part of the DC grid. By means of the invention, a first part of the DC grid is connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard via a fast DC breaker, while further part(s) of the DC grid are connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard by means of switchyard DC breakers of lower breaking speed. By use of the inventive HVDC switchyard arrangement, the cost for the HVDC switchyard can be considerably reduced, while adequate protection can be provided. In one embodiment, the fast DC breaker is an HVDC station DC breaker forming part of an HVDC station. In another embodiment, the fast DC breaker is a switchyard DC breaker.

Abstract: A communication system includes a host device and a peripheral device. The host device includes a data terminal and a power terminal. A data conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The data conductor is configured to channel data between the data terminal and the peripheral device. A power conductor extends between the host device and the peripheral device. The power conductor is configured to channel power between the power terminal and the peripheral device. A zener diode couples the data conductor to the power conductor. The zener diode is configured to control a voltage channeled between the host device and the peripheral device while data is channeled through the data conductor at a desired speed that is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electrical switching device is presented. The electrical switching device includes multiple switch sets coupled in series. Each of the switch sets includes multiple switches coupled in parallel. A control circuit is coupled to the multiple switch sets and configured to control opening and closing of the switches. One or more intermediate diodes are coupled between the control circuit and each point between a respective pair of switch sets.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to coupling and decoupling a power source of a device with circuitry within the device. For example, in aspects of this disclosure, when a short develops within the device, a switch circuit may decouple the power source from the some of the circuitry within the device. Decoupling the power source when a short develops may extent the operational time of the power source, and may reduce thermal excursion.

Abstract: An appliance and a method are intended to monitor a phase line of a section of an electrical energy grid line. The appliance comprises a device for monitoring a parameter of a phase line. The parameter is representative of routine operating conditions of the phase line and has a known propagation speed. The appliance also comprises a device for generating an event detection signal each time the parameter has a value that exceeds a threshold, and for storing a reception time when the detection signal is generated. The appliance also has a device for sending a signal representative of a geographic location of the end of the section and a device for performing a geographic location of the event once two consecutive detection signals are generated from the signal representative of the geographic location, and reception times associated with the two detection signals.

Abstract: A device that allows standard non-load break disconnect switches to become full load break disconnect switches in that they can interrupt high levels of their rated current with no arcing or burning when the switch is opened under load in direct current use on electric railways, electric trolley bus systems, mine operations and motor controls.

Abstract: Described herein is, for example, a battery or capacitor over voltage (overcharge) and under-voltage protection circuit, that, for example, is adapted to not draw current from the battery or capacitor to be charged unless charge energy is detected and to not charge an energy storage device when an over-charge condition is sensed. The protection circuit may, for example, not be turned on unless an over voltage condition is present. Incoming energy to the system can be shunted to ground via a shunt load of various types including resistive loads and active components such as a zener diode. In some embodiments, no switching of the inbound power is required. Within limits, no regulation of inbound power is needed. When inbound power is sufficient to charge the battery or capacitor, regulation can occur via the applied shunt regulator if overcharge voltage conditions exist. Either type of charge source, voltage or current, can be used to provide charge energy.

Abstract: A motor detecting and protecting apparatus electrically connected with a motor. The motor detecting and protecting apparatus includes a detecting unit, an error determining unit, a controlling unit and a driving unit. The detecting unit detects a state of the motor and outputs at least one first detecting signal and at least one second detecting signal to the error determining unit. The error determining unit has a first predetermined value, wherein the error determining unit outputs a warning signal to the controlling unit while a variation value between the first detecting signal and the second detecting signal exceeds the first predetermined value. And the controlling unit will control the motor to stop operating by the driving unit in accordance with the warning signal. And a motor detecting and protecting method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Motor control systems comprise a motor control circuit, a processing circuit operably coupled to the motor control circuit, and a current sensor operably coupled to the processing circuit. The current sensor may be configured to sense a current and to convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to an amount of current sensed. The processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values, to store the plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values. Folding partitions comprising motor control systems are also disclosed, as well as methods of monitoring an operation of an electric motor and of monitoring for an obstruction of a folding partition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting an event while a powered system is powered off. An exemplary system comprises an event input that is configured to detect an electrical signal created by an event while the system is powered off; a zero-power event memory configured to receive the electrical signal from the event input and use the electrical signal to store an indication that the event occurred, wherein the zero-power event memory is configured to store the indication that the event occurred at least until the system next powers on; a read subsystem that is configured to, when the system powers on, access the zero-power event memory and determine whether or not an event occurred while the system was powered off; and a reset subsystem that is configured to, when the system powers off, cause the zero-power event memory to reset to a state indicating that no event has occurred.

Abstract: An electrical power diagnostic system includes a system housing, a power saw management system, and a user interface. The system housing is electrically connected with the power unit of the power saw, wherein the system housing includes a control panel provided thereon for allowing a user to adjust an operational parameter through the control panel. The power saw management system includes a control processor mounted within the system housing to electrically communicate with the power saw, wherein the control processor is pre-programmed to manage operational parameters of the power saw and supervise actual operation of the power saw machine and the saw blade in such a manner that when abnormal operating condition of the power saw machine is detected, the control processor is adapted to selectively adjust the operational parameters of the power saw machine for stopping the abnormal operating condition from continuously happening.

Abstract: In a motor control device that drives a plurality of motors with one DC power supply, detection of a short circuit fault occurring in the motors is realized with an inexpensive configuration. In order to drive the plurality of motors (105, 106), a current detection resistor (404, 405) is arranged between a connection point on positive terminal sides of a plurality of electric power converters (401, 402) connected in parallel to a DC power supply (403) and a positive terminal of the DC power supply, or also between a connection point on negative terminal sides of the plurality of electric power converters and a negative terminal (ground) of the DC power supply, to thereby detect the short circuit fault based on a voltage of the current detection resistor.

Abstract: A power limiting system for multiple electric motors includes an electrical power generating component, such as an alternator, and a plurality of motor controllers connected to an electrical bus. Each motor controller compares the voltage on the bus to a specified minimum voltage and a specified maximum voltage, and reduces its electric power output if the voltage on the bus is less than the maximum voltage while continuing to operate the electric motors.

Abstract: A drive system for a multi-phase electric machine with a permanent magnet rotor, the drive system may comprise conduction paths for each phase. Detectors on each of the conduction paths may determine electrical condition of the conduction path. At least one selectable interconnection path may be present between all of the conduction paths and at least one selectable interconnection path may be operable to connect all of the conduction paths together responsively to at least one of the detectors determining that the electrical condition of its respective electrical path is representative of a predetermined electrical fault condition so that heating of the rotor during continued rotation of the rotor is prevented.

Abstract: A POS device includes a rotation shaft vertically fixed, a rotary plate provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft, a rotating portion placed on the rotary plate and having at least a barcode scanner and a receipt printer, and a display device for clerk and a display device for customer both provided at the top end of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A disc apparatus which can judge accurately whether or not a spindle motor is at fault due to a short circuit is provided. A disc apparatus (1) includes a spindle motor (3) which rotates a disc (2), a differential operational amplifier (5) which successively detects output voltages of the spindle motor (3), and a failure judgment unit (10) which calculates an average voltage of the plural output voltages and judges whether or not the spindle motor (3) is at fault in accordance with the average voltage and the output voltages. When counting number of occurrences of a specific state which indicates that one of the two output voltages detected successively is larger than the average voltage and other of the two output voltages is smaller than the average voltage, the failure judgment unit (10) judges that the spindle motor (3) is at fault.

Abstract: An arc crowbar with electrodes separated by a gap in a protective case. Each electrode is connected to an electrically different conductor of a circuit. A sensor detects an arc flash condition on the circuit and signals a trigger circuit to send an electrical pulse to an arc-triggering device in the arc crowbar gap. The triggering device ionizes a portion of the gas between the electrodes, initiating a protective arc between the electrodes that absorbs energy from the power circuit and trips a breaker, eliminating the arc flash condition. The triggering device may be a plasma gun, especially one that injects plasma of an ablated material into the gap. The sensor may signal a circuit breaker to open in the power circuit. Arc flash sensor types may include a differential current sensor and/or an optical sensor.

Abstract: A voltage monitoring device includes a comparison voltage generating circuit for providing a comparison voltage, a comparator, an electronic switch, and an LED. The comparator outputs a control signal in response to a comparing result between the comparison voltage and a voltage output by a power supply. The electronic switch includes a first terminal receiving the output of the comparator, a second terminal connected to a reference voltage, and a third terminal connected to ground. The LED includes an anode connected to the reference voltage, and a cathode connected to the second terminal of the first electronic switch.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a switching time of an electric switching device. An electric switching device includes an interrupter link. A first line section and a second line section can be connected and disconnected by way of the interrupter link. In order to determine a switching time, the temporal progression of a driving voltage is determined in the first line section. In addition, a temporal course of an oscillator voltage appearing in the second line section is determined. Potential switching times are determined at the voltage zero crossings of a resulting voltage. The selection of the potential switching times ensues while evaluating the rises of the driving voltage and of the oscillator voltage or of the polarity of the oscillating current.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable storage apparatus for supplying power to a plurality of memory mediums. This storage apparatus has a plurality of hard disks separately disposed in groups of eight; a plurality of power supply units for supplying power to each of the eight hard disks belonging to each group; and a redundant power supply unit connected in parallel with each power supply unit, wherein power is supplied from the redundant power supply unit to the eight hard disks connected to the power supply unit subject to a malfunction during such malfunction among the plurality of power supply units.

Abstract: An electromechanical/solid-state AC relay has an electromechanical winding coil that moves an armature to force mechanical contacts to open or close. Electrical arcing across the mechanical contacts that occur as the contacts are opening or closing can damage and severely reduce the lifetime of the relay. Contact arcing is prevented by pulsing a triac on for a short period of time just before and after the mechanical contacts make or break contact. The triac limits the voltage difference across the mechanical contacts to less than one volt to prevent arcing. The triac is turned off after the mechanical contacts finish moving, reducing the heating and average power through the triac. A zero-sampling circuit that detects when the AC input voltage switches across 0 volts and activates a control integrated circuit to switch on the triac during zero-crossings to minimize power surges.

Abstract: The switching apparatus and the method are for varying the impedance of a phase line of a segment of an electrical power line. The phase line includes n conductors electrically insulated from each other and short-circuited together at two ends of the segment. The apparatus comprises at least one first vacuum interrupter connected in series with at least one of the conductors; at least one first controllable motor for selectively opening and closing the at least one first vacuum interrupter; a detector for detecting a parameter representative of current operating conditions of the phase line; and a controller for controlling the at least one first controllable motor according to the parameter detected by the detector.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes detection circuitry configured to detect occurrence of a zero crossing of an alternating source voltage or an alternating load current. The system also includes switching circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry and comprising a micro-electromechanical system switch. Additionally, the system includes control circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry and the switching circuitry and configured to perform arc-less switching of the micro-electromechanical system switch responsive to a detected zero crossing of an alternating source voltage or alternating load current.

Abstract: The method for mains-synchronous switching of circuit breakers comprises the following method steps: measurement of the current flowing through a circuit breaker (9) and measurement of a mains voltage on a first side of the circuit breaker (9), additional voltage measurement on a second side of the circuit breaker (9), feeding of all the measurement signals to a control device (18), deciding in the control device (18), on the basis of the characteristic data stored there, which measurement signal will be used as the reference value for the mains-synchronous tripping of the circuit breaker (9), generating a switching command, which initiates the mains-synchronous switching of the circuit breaker (9) on the basis of this decision, and carrying out the switching command by the circuit breaker (9).

Abstract: A switchgear comprises a switching device, such as a relay, with a switching mechanism. A printed-circuit board that is provided with at least one electronic component is electrically connected to the switching device to form a supplementary electrical circuit, which receives an operating voltage supplied to the switching device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for detecting an arc fault, which prevents a malfunction caused by a conventional current detecting method by detecting a source voltage applied onto a conductive wire to determine whether there is an arc fault, prevents a malfunction with respect to a pseudo arc signal by dividing a current detecting route into two according to the magnitude of a load current occurring onto the conductive wire to determine whether there is the arc fault by voltage detection, and lessens the danger of a fire by reducing a circuit break time according to the magnitude of the load current. A voltage detector detects the arc fault by use of two detecting routes. Each route differs in a filtering value of a filter, presence/absence of level limit, an amplification factor of an amplifier, an accumulation value of a comparator, etc. according to the magnitude of a load current occurring on a conductive wire, thereby reducing a circuit break time.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a peak detector determining a peak amplitude of a current pulse of the current flowing in a power circuit. A microprocessor determines whether the peak amplitude of the current pulse is greater than a predetermined magnitude. A plurality of routines including a time discounted accumulation algorithm, a short delay algorithm and a series time discounted accumulation algorithm, employ the peak amplitude to determine whether an arc fault condition exists in the power circuit.

Abstract: A contactor having a separable conduction path, an actuator, a magnetic stator and armature, and a controller, is disclosed. The actuator is in mechanical communication with the separable conduction path, and the magnetic stator and magnetic armature are arranged in field communication with each other and with an excitation coil responsive to a coil current that serves to generate a magnetic field directed to traverse the stator and the armature. The controller has a processing circuit adapted to control the coil current in response to the current and voltage at the coil such that the coil current is controlled in response to the position and closing speed of the separable conduction path prior to the separable conduction path closing during an open-to-close action.

Abstract: A method of eliminating arc flash in a motor control center is disclosed. The method includes sensing an arc flash corresponding to the motor control center. In response to sensing the arc flash, and subsequent to a delay, determining whether the arc flash continues, and in response to determining that the arc flash continues, triggering an arc crowbar.

Abstract: A universal hybrid solid-state switchgear for power transmission or distribution systems incorporates a fast mechanical switch and solid-state power electronics switching circuits to provide circuit breaker and fault current limiting applications.

Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) employs a power fault protection circuit to protect the IHS from overvoltages which may occur on an information line from a power adapter to the IHS. The system includes a processor coupled to the protection circuit. The circuit is operative in a first mode to decouple an information line from the IHS in response to a disable command and operative in a second mode to decouple the information line from the IHS when a voltage in the information line exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A non-invasive underground arc fault detection apparatus is for an underground electrical conductor. The apparatus includes an electric circuit having an opening for admitting the electrical conductor therethrough. The electric circuit includes one or two transducers adapted to output a first signal representative of current flowing in the electrical conductor and a second signal. An arc fault detection circuit cooperates with the electric circuit to output a third signal derived from the first signal. The third signal is representative of an arc fault of the electrical conductor. An audible annunciator cooperates with the arc fault detection circuit to annunciate the third signal. A power supply cooperates with the electric circuit and is adapted to power the arc fault detection circuit and the annunciator from the second signal.

Abstract: Control of an induction motor is carried out to limit damaging arcing stress and mechanical stresses placed on the control contactor assembly and the induction motor resulting from the simultaneous or synchronous breaking and making of contactors employed to connect the windings of the motor to a power supply. Asynchronously connecting the windings to the power supply via the asynchronous or non-simultaneous closing of the contactors of a modular contactor assembly reduces the potentially damaging transient current, the associated torque oscillations, and mechanical stresses. The present invention is particularly applicable to delta motors that are started with its windings in a star or wye configuration followed by the reconnection of the windings in a delta configuration when the motor is at normal running speed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for measuring the instantaneous value of a monophase AC voltage signal Ve, comprising the steps of: applying said voltage signal Ve to a first input of a phase comparing circuit and a reference signal to a second input of said phase comparing circuit, in said phase comparing circuit deriving from the phase difference between said reference signal and said voltage signal Ve a correction signal and outputting said correction signal, filtering said correction signal, using said filtered correction signal to adjust said reference signal, when the phase difference between said reference signal and said voltage signal Ve is cancelled, determining the instantaneous value of said voltage signal Ve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first circuit detecting when an absolute value of a current signal is less than a first predetermined value and outputting a signal after a first time period. A comparator compares that signal to an envelope of a rectified current signal, in order to provide an output with a plurality of pulses that persist for a relatively longer time for a relatively small value of the envelope, and persist for a relatively shorter time for a relatively large value of the envelope. A second circuit enables the comparator output if the rectified current signal exceeds a second predetermined value, and disables the comparator output after the rectified current signal is below the second predetermined value for a second time period. A third circuit accumulates the pulses and outputs a signal representative of a wet track arc fault.

Abstract: A method for controlling the closing operation of a switching device, which is disposed on an electrical network connected to an inductive component. The method requires first data related to the electrical characteristics of the inductive component and the electrical network. Based on the first data, on a predefined first storage device containing opening and closing operation sequences, a first predefined opening operation sequence is selected. Then, based on the first predefined opening operation sequence, on the first storage device, a first predefined closing operation sequence is selected.

Abstract: The invention intends to provide a direct current load breaking contact point constitution that can make and break an electrical circuit under both direct current loads of direct current resistance load and direct current inductance load over a long period of time without causing problems such as {circle over (1)} the conduction defect due to the consumption of the contact point, {circle over (2)} the locking due to material transfer from one contact point to the other contact point, {circle over (3)} the welding between the contact points, and {circle over (4)} the abnormal arc continuation, and a direct current load breaking switching mechanism such as a relay, a switch and so on that has the contact point constitution.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for suppressing arcing occurring in switch contacts that includes a triggerable electronic switch in parallel with a series connection of relay switches. The trigger electrode of the triggerable electronic switch is connected to a node between the series connected relay switches, which allows the electronic switch to be turned on to a conducting state when a voltage difference occurs between the node and either of the opposite ends of the switches. The voltage difference arises because of arcing that occurs when the relay switches bounce, typically during opening and closing of the relay switches. The opposite ends of the switches are connected to conduction terminals of the electronic switch, where the electronic switch carries substantially all of the current supplied to a load for a half-cycle or less of an AC current cycle when arcing occurs in the relay switches, thereby bypassing the relay switches and suppressing arcing therein.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an opening and closing mechanism section with an opening and closing lever, and an alarm-outputting plate operating in response to a tripping operation. A case for the circuit breaker has a plurality of switch housing sections formed on a top side thereof, in which are installed an auxiliary switch for detecting an ON/OFF state of a main circuit contact and/or an alarm switch for detecting a tripping operation. The opening and closing lever and the alarm-outputting plate have outputting projecting pieces, respectively, laterally spaced apart from each other corresponding to the respective housing sections, for transmitting mechanical output signals to the switches. When the auxiliary and alarm switches are installed, the auxiliary switch is linked to the outputting projecting piece of the opening and closing lever, while the alarm switch is linked to the outputting projecting piece of the alarm-outputting plate.

Abstract: A trip unit connection tester (10) is arranged to test the electrical connections (12) and (14) between a trip unit (16) and actuator (18) mounted within a circuit breaker (20). Tester (10) includes a power source (64) including a positive lead (68), and a negative lead (70). The positive lead (68) is coupled to a two-loop switch (58). The two loop switch (58) toggles between a first loop (98), and a second loop (100). The first loop (98) includes the power source (64), the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82) wherein the energy storage element (82) stores energy coming from the power source (64). The second loop (100) includes the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82), connections (12) and (14), and the actuator (18), wherein energy stored within the energy storage element (82) is released to the actuator (18).

Abstract: A trip unit connection tester (10) is arranged to test the electrical connections (12) and (14) between a trip unit (16) and actuator (18) mounted within a circuit breaker (20). Tester (10) includes a power source (64) including a positive lead (68), and a negative lead (70). The positive lead (68) is coupled to a two-loop switch (58). The two loop switch (58) toggles between a first loop (98), and a second loop (100). The first loop (98) includes the power source (64), the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82) wherein the energy storage element (82) stores energy coming from the power source (64). The second loop (100) includes the two-loop switch (58), and the energy storage element (82), connections (12) and (14), and the actuator (18), wherein energy stored within the energy storage element (82) is released to the actuator (18).

Abstract: A method of synchronously closing a hydraulically-controlled circuit breaker connected in an AC network, the method including, for each pole of the circuit breaker, using a microcontroller connected to the hydraulic control system via static switches to perform the following steps: on receiving a closure order, controlling the static switches to close the pole; waiting for a signal indicating that the pole has moved a certain distance between its open position and its closed position; on receiving the signal controlling the static switches to cause the pole to open; detecting when the network voltage passes through a zero value; and waiting for a certain amount of time to elapse measured from the detection prior to controlling the static switches to cause the pole to close, the time lapse being such that full closure of the pole takes place at a moment that coincides with the instant at which the network voltage reaches a characteristic value depending on the nature of the load to be connected.