A closing mechanism controller includes contactor operating logic that generates a software or firmware based closing mechanism command signal. The controller also includes hardware interlock circuitry that generates an interlock signal, the hardware interlock circuity being configured to compare an interlock signal to the software based closing mechanism command signal and to provide an enable signal to the closing mechanism when the interlock signal matches the closing mechanism command signal.

A system may include a switching device. The switching device may include an armature that may move between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact. The switching device may also include a coil that may receive a voltage that magnetizes a core, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The system may also include a control system that may monitor a voltage waveform associated with the coil during an open operation of the switching device.

A switch control circuit to switch off communication channels between a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a backplane chip when not needed includes a logic component and a switch circuit. The switch circuit is configured for coupling between the BMC and the backplane chip in a device. The logic component obtains a logic control signal from the BMC, and outputs a switch signal to the switch circuit to turn on or turn off the switch circuit according to the logic control signal. An electronic device including the switch control circuit is also provided.

A switch control circuit to switch off communication channels between a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a backplane chip when not needed includes a logic component and a switch circuit. The switch circuit is configured for coupling between the BMC and the backplane chip in a device. The logic component obtains a logic control signal from the BMC, and outputs a switch signal to the switch circuit to turn on or turn off the switch circuit according to the logic control signal. An electronic device including the switch control circuit is also provided.

A method of controlling a switch to selectively provide electrical power to an appliance, the method including, in one or more electronic processing devices: (a) providing a service token to a user device, the service token being indicative of one or more pre-selected payment options associated with providing power to the appliance, the user device being responsive to the service token to: (i) provide the service token to a payment system via a communications network; (ii) receive from the payment system an indication of the payment options associated with the service token; (iii) provide payment information to the payment system in accordance with a payment option selected by the user; and (iv) receive a payment token from the payment system in response to successful payment using the provided payment information; (b) receiving the payment token from the user device; and, (c) using the payment token to control the switch.

The present disclosure relates to a power supply device for a protective relay. The power supply device comprises a power circuit for supplying a power to the control circuit, wherein the power circuit includes: a semiconductor switch element having an input terminal connected to a first node for receiving a direct current, and an output terminal connected to a reference node, wherein the reference node has a voltage lower than a voltage of the first node; and a first voltage drop element disposed between the first node and a second node, wherein the second node is connected to a switching terminal of the semiconductor switch element.

The present disclosure relates to a power supply device for a protective relay. The power supply device comprises a power circuit for supplying a power to the control circuit, wherein the power circuit includes: a semiconductor switch element having an input terminal connected to a first node for receiving a direct current, and an output terminal connected to a reference node, wherein the reference node has a voltage lower than a voltage of the first node; and a first voltage drop element disposed between the first node and a second node, wherein the second node is connected to a switching terminal of the semiconductor switch element.

A safety switching apparatus for switching on or off a technical installation has a failsafe control/evaluation unit with an input for receiving an input signal. The failsafe control/evaluation unit is designed to process the input signal in order to produce an output signal for switching on or off the technical installation at a defined output signal time. The failsafe control/evaluation unit has a first output for transmitting the output signal to an electromechanical switch. The electromechanical switch has an operating contact for switching a load circuit of the technical installation and has a positively guided auxiliary contact in an auxiliary contact current path. The auxiliary contact can be used to carry a current for checking the switching position of the operating contact. A switching element is arranged in the auxiliary contact current path. The failsafe control/evaluation unit is designed to produce a switching signal at a defined switching signal time which has a time gap relative to the output signal time. The failsafe control/evaluation unit has a second output for transmitting the switching signal to the switching element in order to selectively allow or disallow the current through the auxiliary contact current path.

The relay safety system provided by the present invention includes a relay, an emergency stop device, a trigger detection circuit, a sticking detection circuit, and a power-off circuit. The emergency stop device is used to generate an emergency stop signal. The trigger detection circuit connects the relay and the emergency stop device, and is used to convert the emergency stop signal into a trigger signal. The sticking detection circuit is connected to the trigger detection circuit and the relay, and is used to detect the sticking signal generated by the relay, and generate a power-off signal according to the trigger signal and the sticking signal. The power-off circuit is connected to the emergency stop device, the relay and the sticking detection circuit, and receives the power-off signal, and disconnects the power of the relay according to the power-off signal.

Methods of operating an automatic transfer switch (ATS) include detecting a first transition of an auxiliary contact set mechanically linked to a switch that selectively couples first and second AC power sources to an output of the ATS, determining a transition duration based on the detected first transition and a first assertion time of a first command for the first transition, identifying a second assertion time based on the determined transition duration, and asserting a second command for a second transition of the switch at the identified second assertion time.