A control system and method obtain a stress profile of a device disposed onboard industrial equipment. The stress profile represents a stress characteristic of the device over time during operation of the industrial equipment. The system and method determine a smooth zero crossing function based on the stress profile. The smooth zero crossing function includes spikes that represent reversals of the stress characteristic. The system and method generate a control signal based on the smooth zero crossing function.

A direct current switching device for interrupting an electric direct current flowing along a medium or high voltage current path. An electric circuit arrangement has a mechanical switching device connected in the current path and a circuit unit for forcing a zero-crossing point in the mechanical switching device. The circuit unit has multiple capacitive components and a switch which are connected in the circuit unit such that, in a first switching state of the switch, the capacitive components are connected in parallel for a respective electric charging process via the medium or high voltage current path and, in a second switching state of the switch, the capacitive components are connected in series in order to generate a current pulse which forces the zero-crossing point. The direct current switching device is useful for interrupting an electric direct current flowing along the medium or high voltage current path.

A direct current switching device for interrupting an electric direct current flowing along a medium or high voltage current path. An electric circuit arrangement has a mechanical switching device connected in the current path and a circuit unit for forcing a zero-crossing point in the mechanical switching device. The circuit unit has multiple capacitive components and a switch which are connected in the circuit unit such that, in a first switching state of the switch, the capacitive components are connected in parallel for a respective electric charging process via the medium or high voltage current path and, in a second switching state of the switch, the capacitive components are connected in series in order to generate a current pulse which forces the zero-crossing point. The direct current switching device is useful for interrupting an electric direct current flowing along the medium or high voltage current path.