A method for generating charge for a service disconnect operation for an electric meter includes: charging a service disconnect capacitor for an electric meter to a voltage higher than a voltage provided by a power supply of the electric meter; monitoring the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor; receiving, by the electric meter, a service disconnect switch instruction signal; determining, based on the monitoring, whether the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds a specified voltage threshold value; and in response to receiving the service disconnect switch instruction signal and determining that the voltage on the service disconnect capacitor exceeds the specified voltage threshold value, discharging the service disconnect capacitor through windings of a service disconnect actuator. The service disconnect actuator may be configured to cause contacts of a service disconnect switch to change position to make or break a circuit connection between a line voltage and a load.

Even when an overvoltage suppression circuit is not formed due to failure of an overvoltage suppression switch, overvoltage application to semiconductors and a filter capacitor is prevented. A control unit controls the overvoltage suppression circuit to short-circuit the filter capacitor when the voltage thereacross exceeds a predetermined value. Then when non-operation of the overvoltage suppression circuit is detected, the control unit opens an AC breaker and AC switch, and closes a charging switch. Thereafter, the control unit turns ON the converter element (or converter element) connecting to the filter capacitor terminal (or terminal) and a charging resistor, and turns ON converter element (or converter element) connecting to terminal (or terminal) of filter capacitor and connecting to the terminal of the transformer not connected to charging resistor.

A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria.

A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria.

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a first wire through which a signal is transmitted; a second wire that is not used for signal transmission; a switch that creates or breaks an electric connection between the first wire and the second wire; and a control circuit that controls the switch according to an potential of the signal, which is transmitted through the first wire, so that part of charge stored in a first wire capacitor of the first wire moves to a second wire capacitor of the second wire and is stored in the second wire capacitor and the charge stored in the second wire capacitor are drawn to the first wire capacitor to charge the first wire capacitor.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for combined protection of a load from temporary and transient overvoltages with emergency operation of the load in the presence of a temporary overvoltage and with integrated follow current limitation, wherein a first surge arrester, in particular a spark gap or a varistor, is provided between network-side input terminals and a second surge arrester, in particular a varistor, is provided between load-side output terminals for follow current limitation. According to the invention, at least one controlled semiconductor switch is provided in each case in the series branch between the input terminal and the output terminal and in the output-side parallel branch, wherein a mechanical switch and a series capacitance are connected in parallel with the semiconductor switch in the series branch. Furthermore, the semiconductor switch in the parallel branch is part of a series circuit comprising a parallel circuit comprising a second surge arrester and a parallel capacitance. A series inductance is provided in the series branch between the input terminal and the parallel circuit comprising the series capacitance, the controlled semiconductor switch and the mechanical switch. A microcontroller for controlling the semiconductor switches is also present, wherein the microcontroller is connected to a current detector in the series branch.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for combined protection of a load from temporary and transient overvoltages with emergency operation of the load in the presence of a temporary overvoltage and with integrated follow current limitation, wherein a first surge arrester, in particular a spark gap or a varistor, is provided between network-side input terminals and a second surge arrester, in particular a varistor, is provided between load-side output terminals for follow current limitation. According to the invention, at least one controlled semiconductor switch is provided in each case in the series branch between the input terminal and the output terminal and in the output-side parallel branch, wherein a mechanical switch and a series capacitance are connected in parallel with the semiconductor switch in the series branch. Furthermore, the semiconductor switch in the parallel branch is part of a series circuit comprising a parallel circuit comprising a second surge arrester and a parallel capacitance. A series inductance is provided in the series branch between the input terminal and the parallel circuit comprising the series capacitance, the controlled semiconductor switch and the mechanical switch. A microcontroller for controlling the semiconductor switches is also present, wherein the microcontroller is connected to a current detector in the series branch.

First and second output transistors are connected in series between a power supply terminal and a ground terminal through an output node connected to an output terminal. An output transistor control circuit is arranged corresponding to at least one of the first and second output transistors and is configured to input a voltage at the output terminal to the gate of the first output transistor at a time of occurrence of disconnection of the power supply terminal and input the same to the gate of the second output transistor at a time of occurrence of disconnection of the ground terminal. The first output transistor has a conductivity type to turn off when a power supply voltage is input to the gate, and the second output transistor has a conductivity type to turn off when a ground voltage is input to the gate.

A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

A leakage current detection device connected between a power source and a load, which includes a self-testing or leakage current detection selection trigger unit, for selecting a leakage current detection mode or a self-testing mode; a self-testing unit, for periodically generating a simulated leakage current signal in the self-testing mode; and a leakage current detection unit, for detecting a leakage current signal in the leakage current detection mode and detecting the simulated leakage current signal in the self-testing mode. The selection trigger unit further causes the power source to be disconnected from the load when a leakage current signal is detected, and sends a self-testing result to the self-testing unit depending on whether the leakage current detection unit detects the simulated leakage current signal. The self-testing unit displays an indication of the self-testing result.