Abstract: A power conversion system includes a first converter effectively connected in series to a second converter. Each converter has a plurality of output levels. A phase-shifted transformer is coupled to the converters. The phase-shifted transformer has a delta-wound winding and an open star winding. The first converter is coupled to the open star winding and the second converter is coupled to the delta winding. The open star winding is configured for direct connection to either of a load or the open star winding of a second phase-shifted transformer, having a delta winding connected to a third converter. One or more DC voltage sources are each connected to the first and second converters by a respective DC link capacitor. Each DC voltage source is connected to a common power grid by an isolated multiphase transformer winding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.

Abstract: A three-phase current source rectifier (CSR) with three AC inputs may include a controller, a free-wheeling diode with a cathode connected to a positive line and an anode connected to a negative line, three pairs of switches connected in parallel between the positive line and the negative line, and six pairs of diodes, each pair of the diodes connected in series. Each two pairs of the diodes may be connected in parallel with each other and in series with a respective pair of switches. Each AC input may be connected to between each of two pairs of the diodes.

Abstract: Split phase power conversion apparatuses, methods and systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment includes a generator, an AC/DC converter coupled with the generator, a DC bus coupled with the AC/DC converter, and an inverter coupled with the DC bus. The inverter includes first, second, and third legs each including a plurality of switches. A first controller provides a control signal to the first leg based upon a voltage between a first system output and a second system output and a first current provided to the first system output. A second controller provides a second control signal to the second leg based upon a voltage between the second system output and a third system output and a second current provided to the third system output. A third controller controls the third leg to provide an output equal to one half of the DC bus voltage.

Abstract: A multi-level power converter includes switching cells, each comprising switching devices and an energy storage element. The switching cells include switching cells of a first type and switching cells of a second type. The converter includes, for each phase, a first arm of serial connected switching cells and a second arm of serial connected switching cells, which first arm and second arm are connected in parallel. The first arm includes more switching cells of the first type than switching cells of the second type and the second arm includes more switching cells of the second type than switching cells of the first type. The switching cells of the first type have lower conduction loss than the switching cells of the second type. The converter is arranged so that a larger current flows through the first arm than the second arm.

Abstract: A neutral point clamped, multilevel level converter includes a DC voltage link; a first capacitor coupling one side of the DC link to a neutral point; a second capacitor coupling another side of the DC link to the neutral point; a plurality of phase legs, each phase leg including switches, each phase leg coupled to an AC node; a current sensor associated with each AC node; and a controller generating a PWM signal to control the switches, the controller generating a current zero sequence component in response to current sensed at each of the current sensors, the controller adjusting a modulation index signal in response to the current zero sequence component to produce the PWM signal.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus is for converting polyphase ac power directly to ac power. A conversion circuit includes a plurality of first switching devices 311, 313, 315 and a plurality of second switching devices 312, 314, 316 connected, respectively, with the phases R, S, T of the polyphase ac power, and configured to enable electrical switching operation in both directions. There are provided a plurality of condensers 821˜826 connected with the conversion circuit. At least one of the condensers is provided, for each of the first switching devices and the second switching devices, between two of the phases of the polyphase ac power. It is possible to reduce a wiring distance between the condenser and the switching devices.

Abstract: A power conversion device includes a first detection circuit that acquires input information about an AC voltage and/or an alternating current which are inputted to the power conversion device from an AC power supply, a rectifier circuit, an inverter circuit including a switch, and a control circuit that generates a pulse signal for the switch while the control circuit (A) determines, based on the input information, whether the rectifier circuit is in a state in which the rectifier circuit allows switching noise to propagate from the switch to the AC power supply and (B) changes a frequency of the pulse signal with time at least in a period in which the rectifier circuit is in the state.

Abstract: A voltage error signal VERR is provided to a PWM controller of a voltage regular and used to produce a PWM signal that drives a power stage of the regulator. When operating in an adaptor current limit regulation mode, an adaptor current sense voltage VACS, indicative of an adapter current IA, is compared to an adapter current reference voltage VAC_REF to produce an adapter current error signal VAC_ERR. A compensator receives the adapter current error signal VAC_ERR and outputs a compensated adapter current error signal. The adaptor current sense voltage VACS, or a high pass filtered version thereof, is subtracted from the compensated adapter current error signal to produce the voltage error signal VERR provided to the PWM controller. Alternatively, an input voltage VIN, or a high pass filtered version thereof, is added to the compensated adapter current error signal to produce the voltage error signal VERR.

Abstract: A voltage of a reactor taking a potential on a side of a capacitor as a reference is detected. A correction coefficient which is made smaller as a first voltage control rate command becomes smaller is calculated, the first voltage control rate being a ratio of an amplitude of an AC voltage, which is outputted by a power converter, to an average value of the DC voltage. A correction is made to subtract a correction amount obtained by multiplying the voltage of the reactor by the correction coefficient from the first voltage control rate command, so that a second voltage control rate command is generated. A switching signal which is generated based on a second voltage control rate command is given to the power converter.

Abstract: A hybrid switch apparatus includes a gate drive circuit producing a gate drive signal, a GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) having a first gate, a first drain, and a first source. A silicon (Si) MOSFET has a second gate, a second drain, and a second source. The GaN HEMT and the Si MOSFET are connected in a parallel arrangement so that (i) the first drain and the second drain are electrically connected and (ii) the first source and the second source are electrically connected. The second gate is connected to the gate drive circuit output to receive the gate drive signal. A delay block has an input connected to the gate drive circuit output and an delay block output is configured to produce a delayed gate drive signal for driving the GaN HEMT.

Abstract: Provided is an operating method of a full-bridge sub-module (FBSM)-based modular multilevel converter for HVDC transmission with AC-side voltage boosting. The peak value of the AC-side voltage is increased under a constant DC-link voltage by using FBSM's negative output voltage under steady state, wherein keeping the semiconductor's current rating constant during AC-side voltage boosting is in favor of reducing converter cost by decreasing energy interaction between the upper and lower arms in a leg, and further capacitance value of FBSM's capacitor under a constant capacitor voltage ripple, keeping the RMS value of AC-side current constant during AC-side voltage boosting can effectively improve transmission capacity of the converter while reducing converter cost, and keeping converter transmission capacity constant during AC-side voltage boosting can reduce RMS value of arm currents while reducing converter cost, thereby reducing power loss of FBSMs and improving converter efficiency.

Abstract: An improved solar energy utilization system is described based on the use of a smart load center which can automatically select the use of utility power or solar-derived power independently for each of a number of load circuits based on availability of utility and solar power, preset user priorities, battery charge status, time of day, instantaneous consumption, historical consumption patterns and weather forecasts.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a multi-phase motor is described. The controller may be configured to drive a first virtual multi-phase motor in an active mode and drive a second virtual multi-phase motor in a passive mode. In the active mode, at least a portion of a reference torque is distributed to the first virtual multi-phase motor. In the passive mode, zero torque is distributed to the second virtual multi-phase motor.

Abstract: A power conversion device includes transformers provided with primary windings connected to input terminals and secondary windings including pluralities of single-phase open windings that are insulated to each other; a plurality of converter cells connected to the secondary windings of the transformers; and a control circuit for controlling ON/OFF of switching elements. The converter cells are each include a converter and the inverter that are provided with the switching elements, in which their input ends are connected to the respective single-phase open windings, so that the input ends are connected in mutually parallel fashion, through the transformers, to the input terminal of each phase, and in which their output ends are connected in mutually serial fashion to an output terminal of each phase, to thereby perform three or more-level power conversion.

Abstract: A fuel remaining amount is recognized by a control device by a discrete numerical value. In a period that continues until execution of only the electric power supply in which the engine is stopped after the electric power supply is initiated (time is to t1), that is, in a period when no SOC recovery history is generated, the control device calculates an electric power supply possible time Tsp with a sum of an electric power generation possible time Tgs based on a fuel remaining amount detection value FLV# and a discharging possible time Tel based on the SOC. In a period subsequent to the generation of the SOC recovery history attributable to starting of the engine (after time t0), the electric power supply possible time Tsp is calculated in accordance with the electric power generation possible time Tgs without the SOC being reflected.

Abstract: Peak current, valley current or average current mode controlled power converters in either digital or analog implementations obtain a stabilized feedback loop and allow high system bandwidth design by use of an external ramp generator using a slope computation equation or design parameters based on fixing the quality factor of a double pole at one-half of the switching frequency at a desired value The slope of the external ramp waveform is tuned automatically with knowledge of the slope change in the waveform of inductor current of a power converter derived by differentiating a waveform in the current feedback loop. This autotuning of the external ramp generator provides immunity of quality factor change under variations of duty cycle, component values of topological change of the power converter.

Abstract: An inverter for the selective feeding of effective power and reactive power into a power grid has two serially connected intermediate circuit capacitors, the joint connection of which defines a median voltage level between a positive voltage level and a negative voltage level. It also has first, second, third, and fourth semiconductor switches having free-wheeling diodes respectively connected in parallel, which are arranged serially in this sequence between the positive and the negative voltage levels, the joint connection of the second and third semiconductor switches being connected to the power grid via a choke. The inverter also has serially connected first and second diodes, the joint connection of which is at the median voltage level, and whose second connection is connected to the joint connection of the first and second semiconductor switches and of the third and fourth semiconductor switches.

Abstract: A power conversion device able to supply a constant load voltage even when the voltage of a 3-phase alternating current power supply fluctuates. A series circuit formed of switching element Q1 and switching element Q2 and a series circuit formed of switching element Q3 and switching element Q4 are connected to both ends of direct current power supply series circuit 3 formed of direct current power supply Psp and direct current power supply Psn, a bidirectional switch element S1 is connected between alternating current output terminals U and R, a bidirectional switch element S2 is connected between alternating current output terminal U and neutral terminal O, a bidirectional switch element S3 is connected between alternating current output terminal W and neutral terminal O, a bidirectional switch element S4 is connected between alternating current output terminal W and terminal T, and alternating current output terminals V and terminal S are connected.

Abstract: A method for detecting failure of soft start includes: connecting a variable frequency device to a load; detecting an energy storage unit at a first voltage level; generating an output current to the load; detecting the energy storage unit changed from the first voltage level into a second voltage level; generating a reference voltage value according to the output current and determining whether a voltage difference value between the first voltage level and the second voltage level is larger than the reference voltage value; determining whether a voltage peak-to-peak value of the energy storage unit is smaller than a set value by the controller if the voltage difference value is larger than the reference voltage value; and controlling the inverter circuit to stop outputting the output current to the load if the voltage peak-to-peak value is smaller than the set value.

Abstract: A converter performs full-wave rectification on a single-phase voltage, thus outputting a rectified voltage across DC power supply lines. An inverter receives the rectified voltage and then supplies a three-phase AC current to an inductive load. Between the DC power supply lines is connected a charge and discharge circuit. The charge and discharge circuit includes a buffer circuit and a boost circuit. The buffer circuit includes a series connection between a capacitor and a switch. The boost circuit, which may be configured by a boost chopper, includes a switch, a reactor and a diode. The charge and discharge circuit provides and receives part of pulsations of the power input to the converter between the DC power supply lines.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supplying apparatus, a power receiving apparatus, an electrical vehicle, a charging system, and a charging method, the power feeding apparatus improving reliability by suppressing any decrease in charging efficiency and making charging control communication more resistant to high-frequency noise of a switching element. A power supplying apparatus for feeding power to an external apparatus, wherein the power supplying apparatus is characterized in having a power conversion unit, a power supplying unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The power conversion unit includes a power conversion switching element capable of changing the a switching waveform of the switching element. The power supplying unit supplies power to the external apparatus, the power being generated in the power conversion unit. The communication unit communicates with the external apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery stack includes a microcontroller and a string of battery management and protection IC devices connected to one another in a daisy chain configuration. Each battery management and protection IC device can include a communication interface circuit includes pairs of differential input signal lines, receivers including respective current comparator circuits to receive differential signals on the differential input signal lines, and transmitters to provide outgoing differential signals on the differential input signal lines. A digital circuit block allows signals to pass between the receivers and transmitters.

Abstract: An electric power management system includes an electric power generating unit, an electric power storage device and a central control unit. The electric power generating unit generates a first electric power. The electric power storage device, electrically connected to the electric power generating unit, stores the first electric power. The central control unit includes an electric power shunting module and a calculating and processing module. The electric power shunting module, electrically connected to the electric power storage device, controls the electric power storage device to output a second electric power to a client end through an output end of the electric power storage device. The calculating and processing module, electrically connected to the electric power shunting module, records amounts of the first electric power generated by the electric power generating unit and the second electric power consumed by the client end and accordingly outputs analysis information.

Abstract: A three-phase power conversion device includes: single-phase inverters having AC output ends connected in series to the respective phases of the three-phase AC lines; a control device for performing PWM control for each single-phase inverter based on a voltage command V*; and an AC voltage detection circuit for detecting a phase and a voltage amplitude of three-phase AC voltage. The control device adds a zero-phase component Vo common to the three phases to a basic command Vx* for each phase to generate a voltage command V*. The zero-phase component Vo is generated by applying an amplitude a calculated based on the phase and the voltage amplitude to reference zero-phase voltage Voo that has been set, thereby reducing a peak of the voltage command V* for each single-phase inverter.

Abstract: A switching control apparatus is applied to a load drive system that includes a DC voltage converter having a reactor and at least one switching element, and a power transducer including multiple switching element pairs. The switching control apparatus controls a switching timing of the switching element in the DC voltage converter and the switching element pairs in the power transducer. The switching control apparatus includes a DC voltage converter control circuit, a DC voltage converter drive circuit, a power transducer control circuit, a power transducer drive circuit, a switching prohibition period calculation portion, and a switching correction portion.

Abstract: Malfunctions of a switching device included in a power factor corrector are reduced when an instantaneous voltage drop or an instantaneous power failure occurs. If the instantaneous voltage drop or the instantaneous power failure occurs in an AC power source while the power factor corrector is performing a power factor correction operation by boosting an input voltage, an instantaneous power failure controller turns off the switching device included in the power factor corrector so that the power factor correction operation stops. When the commercial power source recovers, too, the power factor corrector suspends the power factor correction operation.

Abstract: A load-balancing device includes a control module, and a converter for generating a voltage supplying a single-phase electrical load connected to a polyphase electrical network. The converter selectively modifies a phase shift between its output and phases of the polyphase electrical network. The control module controls synchronization of the output with a first phase of the network and its progressive phase shifting when it is synchronized with a second phase of the polyphase electrical network. It also controls connection of the load to the network and to the converter when the converter and first phase are synchronized. The control module maintains disconnection of the load from the network during the progressive phase shifting of the converter output voltage, and controls its connection the second phase of the network when its output is synchronized with the second phase.

Abstract: An electrical DC generation system is disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for electrical DC generation includes an electrical machine having multiple stator windings and multiple rectifiers for connection to portions of the stator windings. At least one active rectifier and at least one passive rectifier are connected in series to form a DC bus having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, where the positive terminal of the DC bus is connected to a positive output terminal of the electrical machine and where the negative terminal of the DC bus is connected to a negative output terminal of the electrical machine. The at least one active rectifier is used to control a current flowing through the DC bus and/or an output voltage of the electrical machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AC/DC converter station for interconnection of a DC transmission line and an AC network, the AC/DC converter station including an AC/DC converter and a control system configured to control the AC/DC converter. The AC/DC converter station comprises a capacitor connected in series between the AC/DC converter and the AC network, and a voltage measurement device arranged to measure the voltage across the capacitor. The AC/DC converter further comprises a control system connected to the voltage measurement device and arranged to receive, from the voltage measurement device, a signal indicative of a measured voltage. The control system is arranged to perform the control of the AC/DC converter in dependence of the signal received from the voltage measurement device. The invention further relates to a method of operating an AC/DC converter station.

Abstract: An induction generator is connected to a three-phase mains. The induction generator includes a control unit (10) connected to a current transformer (38), on one (L1) of the lines (L1, L2, L3) of the three-phase mains. The induction generator includes a number of power sections (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36). Each power section (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) supplies one of the induction coils (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50). A control unit (10) estimates and corrects harmonic distortions of the mains current via the current transformer (38). The power transferred to a heated object as a function of the frequency is stored in a memory of the control unit (10), so that the heated object is identifiable by its frequency-power characteristic. The frequency spectrum of the transferred power related to a harmonic distortion in the line (L1) is stored in the memory (10) if the distortion exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: This is a multi-level converter comprising at least one arm (B) formed of n stages (Et1, Et2, . . . , Etn) mounted in cascade. The first stage (Et1) comprises a single switching structure (Ce10) with four voltage levels and an ith stage (i lying between two and n) comprises i identical switching structures (Cei1, Cei2, . . . Ceii) with four voltage levels, mounted in series. Each switching structure with four voltage levels comprises a cell of floating capacitor type (T1, T2, T1?, T2?, C12), two basic switching cells (T3u, T3?u; T3l, T3?l) and a capacitive divider bridge (C9, C10, C11), the basic switching cells being connected between the voltage divider bridge and the cell of floating capacitor type.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a power supply according various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a voltage converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage. For example, the converter may comprise an output controller configured to generate a control signal, a power mode controller, and an integrated power stage. The power stage may include a multiple switch segments coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output, and a driver circuit responsive to the output controller and the power mode controller and connected to the switch segments. The driver circuit controls the switch segments according to the control signal to activate the switch segments in the switch circuit. The driver circuit also disables one or more of the switch segments according to the power mode signal to permit reduced power delivery and demand states.

Abstract: The invention is a multilevel electronic DC/AC or AC/DC power converter for n output voltage levels with a positive branch (POS) with a positive DC voltage terminal (2), a negative branch (NEG) with a negative DC voltage terminal (1), and an AC voltage terminal (3) connected to the positive branch (POS) and to the negative branch (NEG), DC bus capacitors (4) interconnected between positive (2) and negative (1) DC voltage terminals and an intermediate DC voltage terminal (5) connected between the two DC bus capacitors (4); a plurality of first external controlled semiconductors (6) and second external controlled semiconductors (7) and, at least, one high-current DC capacitor (11), at least two high-frequency and low-current capacitors (12) and one intermediate controlled semiconductor (8) connected between the intermediate DC voltage terminal (5) and an intermediate terminal (10) of an internal branch (INT) connected in parallel with each high-current DC capacitor (11).

Abstract: A method generates space vector modulation signals for a multi-level power inverter using space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM). A reference voltage and a triangle region for the reference voltage are determined. Vertices for a space vector that is closest to the reference voltage is outputted. Then, the vertices are adjusted so that the space vector is in a valid region of the triangle region. Lastly, the space vector modulation signals a, b, and c corresponding to the space vector in the valid region are outputted.

Abstract: A tuning system for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator is described herein. The tuning system makes use of a dual edge phase detector.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a cooler cooling a converter/chopper circuit and a cooler cooling a PWM inverter. The converter/chopper circuit and the cooler make up one integrated unit. Accordingly, a smaller apparatus can be achieved, compared with a conventional apparatus in which a cooler is provided for each of a converter and a chopper.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power unit having a plurality of converter modules coupled in parallel, is configured to convert DC into AC voltages or AC into DC voltage. The method includes (a) receiving a control value for each phase of each converter module, (b) obtaining a set of phase current values for each converter module, (c) generating a compensation value for each phase of each converter module based on the set of phase current values and a set of stored data, the set of data representative of non-linearity characteristics of the converter modules as functions of phase current value, (d) generating a compensated control value for each phase of each converter module based on the corresponding control value and compensation value, and (e) supplying the compensated control values to the respective converter modules. A controller, power unit, wind turbine, computer program and computer program product are similarly configured.

Abstract: A power supply system for a charge is provided. The power supply system includes a converter connected in input to a current source and in output to a charge, the converter being able to deliver a direct current to the charge and allow the circulation of the current in a single direction, from the current source to the charge and a circulation bus for an electric current, including a first end and a second end. The power supply system further includes a device for injecting an additional alternating voltage and at the second end of the circulation bus, the injection device being connected to the second end and a device for recovering the additional injected alternating voltage, the recovery device being connected between the first end of the bus and the charge, so as to supply the charge with electrical current.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a control method of a power converter that is capable of preventing increase of electromagnetic noise that are caused by simultaneous change of the states of power semiconductor switching elements of the power converter. State changes of ON/OFF pulses that are input to power semiconductor switching elements are detected, and, when the timings of the state changes of any two of the ON/OFF pulses match each other, the state change of either one of the ON/OFF pulses, of which state changes match each other, is delayed.

Abstract: A method and a high-voltage DC (HVDC) power system are provided. The system includes a plurality of sending-end (SE) modules coupled in electrical series and divided into at least two groups that each operate independently with respect to an electrical ground and a plurality of receiving-end (RE) power converter modules electrically coupled to the plurality of SE modules, the plurality of RE power converter modules including a fast ground-fault detection and control device, the plurality of RE power converter modules including a receiving-end front-end DC-DC converter controller, and an output current damping control.

Abstract: A charging device that includes an alternating current (AC) direct current (DC) adapter and a wireless charger. In one implementation the charging device combines an AC/DC adapter and a wireless charger into a same housing.

Abstract: An inverter device includes: a rectifier circuit that converts an AC power supply into a DC power supply; a smoothing unit that is connected to a subsequent stage of the rectifier circuit; a short-circuit unit that short-circuits the AC power supply via a reactor that improves a power factor of the AC power supply; an inverter unit that converts a direct current from the smoothing unit into an alternating current; and a control unit that controls the inverter unit, wherein a gate drive circuit is connected to a gate terminal of each switching element in the inverter unit, the gate drive circuit includes a first gate voltage line and a second gate voltage line having a voltage value larger than a voltage value of the first gate voltage line, and the voltage value of the first gate voltage line is variable even during an operation of the inverter device.

Abstract: In a first period when a cosine value is positive that is a cosine value of a value twice a phase angle determined while an AC waveform output from a single-phase AC power source is regarded as a sine value of the phase angle, a discharge duty for making a first switch conducting is set to be higher than a first value determined by dividing the product of an amplitude of an AC voltage of the single-phase AC power source and the cosine value by the product of an across voltage of a capacitor and ?2. In addition to or alternatively to this, in a second period when the cosine value is negative, a rectifying duty for making a diode rectifier conducting is set to be higher than a second value that is the reciprocal of the product of the absolute value of the sine value and ?2.

Abstract: A multilevel LLC resonant converter comprises a resonant tank connected in series with a primary side of a transformer, a first switch and a second switch connected in series, wherein a common node of the first switch and the second switch is coupled to a mid-voltage point through a first isolation switch and the resonant bank and a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series, wherein a common node of the third switch and the fourth switch is coupled to the resonant tank.

Abstract: A first accommodation chamber accommodating therein an inverter unit with a built-in inverter circuit and a second accommodation chamber accommodating therein a filter unit with a built-in filter circuit are formed individually in different positions of a housing of a motor-driven compressor for a vehicle. The input terminals and the output terminals of the inverter unit and of the filter unit are all arranged so as to extend in the same direction.

Abstract: A power controller includes a plurality of power supply output circuits and a multi-level converter connected to the plurality of power supply output circuits to receive a plurality of sets of voltages. The multi-level converter is configured to supply power to a load from a plurality of output terminals. An observer module is operably coupled to the multi-level converter to selectively control multi-level converter common-mode voltage with respect to the plurality of power supply output terminals.

Abstract: The configurations of photovoltaic system and methods thereof are provided. The proposed photovoltaic system includes a PI-INC MPPT controller using a constant-frequency variable-duty (CFVD) control and guided by an Ipv-Vpv curve and a Ppv-Vpv curve.

Abstract: One aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a braking apparatus for an electric power tool that includes a switching circuit with six switching elements and a brake control unit. The brake control unit switches any one selected switching element of three switching elements forming one selected switch group of a high-side switch group and a low-side switch group to an off state from an on state at a timing at which braking current flows through a diode connected in parallel to the selected switching element upon turn-off of the selected switching element.

Abstract: A driver circuit for powering a load is disclosed. The driver circuit includes an input for connection to a ballast, a rectifier, a switch, and a fault circuit. The rectifier converts AC power received from the input into DC power. The rectifier includes a rectifier input. The switch is electrically connected to the rectifier input. The switch is activated to create a short circuit at the rectifier inputs in response to receiving an activation signal. The fault circuit is electrically connected to the switch. The fault circuit generates the activation signal in response to detecting at least one of an over voltage, an over temperature, and an over current condition of the driver circuit.