The DC electrical network comprises an electrical load supplied with electricity by an electrical power source to which the electrical load is linked by a first electrical line and a second electrical line. An overcurrent protection system comprising an input pole and an output pole is mounted in series on the first electrical line. The overcurrent protection system comprises an electronic switch mounted in series between the input pole and the output pole, an electrical current sensor, and a controller configured to control the electronic switch. It also comprises an electronic device linked to the input pole and to the second electrical line. The controller is configured to command a conducting state of the electronic device when a current measurement from the electrical current sensor is above a predetermined current threshold, then to command an opening of the electronic switch.

The DC electrical network comprises an electrical load supplied with electricity by an electrical power source to which the electrical load is linked by a first electrical line and a second electrical line. An overcurrent protection system comprising an input pole and an output pole is mounted in series on the first electrical line. The overcurrent protection system comprises an electronic switch mounted in series between the input pole and the output pole, an electrical current sensor, and a controller configured to control the electronic switch. It also comprises an electronic device linked to the input pole and to the second electrical line. The controller is configured to command a conducting state of the electronic device when a current measurement from the electrical current sensor is above a predetermined current threshold, then to command an opening of the electronic switch.

A turn-off circuit for a semiconductor switch includes an element having a variable resistance coupled to a control input of the semiconductor switch, a circuit for generating a control-input reference signal, and a control circuit coupled to adjust a resistance of the element having a variable resistance in response to the control-input reference signal in a closed control loop in order to turn off the semiconductor switch.

A turn-off circuit for a semiconductor switch includes an element having a variable resistance coupled to a control input of the semiconductor switch, a circuit for generating a control-input reference signal, and a control circuit coupled to adjust a resistance of the element having a variable resistance in response to the control-input reference signal in a closed control loop in order to turn off the semiconductor switch.

Provided by the present invention is a current overload protection apparatus. The apparatus comprises a current measuring device and a control module; the current measuring device is used to measure a current value on a current path; the control module is electrically connected to the current measuring device, and stores current threshold data; the current threshold data comprises a plurality of time intervals respectively corresponding to disconnection threshold values; the earlier the time corresponding to a plurality of time intervals, the larger the disconnection threshold value corresponding thereto; and the control module is used to receive and collect current signals within a specified time length so as to calculate the current value of the current path, and determine whether the current value is greater than or equal to the disconnection threshold values, and if so, then an overload protection step is performed to protect the load from current overload.

Provided by the present invention is a current overload protection apparatus. The apparatus comprises a current measuring device and a control module; the current measuring device is used to measure a current value on a current path; the control module is electrically connected to the current measuring device, and stores current threshold data; the current threshold data comprises a plurality of time intervals respectively corresponding to disconnection threshold values; the earlier the time corresponding to a plurality of time intervals, the larger the disconnection threshold value corresponding thereto; and the control module is used to receive and collect current signals within a specified time length so as to calculate the current value of the current path, and determine whether the current value is greater than or equal to the disconnection threshold values, and if so, then an overload protection step is performed to protect the load from current overload.

A gate driver to control a high-power switching device is disclosed. The gate driver includes a multifunction pin that allows the gate driver to be controlled by a multifunction signal to perform a number of different functions. For example, a level of the multifunction signal at the multifunction pin can enable/disable the output of the gate driver. In another example, a level of the multifunction signal that is held for a period while the gate driver is in a fault state can reset the state of the gate driver. In another example, pulsing the multifunction signal a number of times can activate a test of the fault detection capabilities of the gate driver. Utilizing one pin for this control, simplifies circuit complexity for communication between a controller and the gate driver, thereby reducing cost and increasing reliability.

A gate driver to control a high-power switching device is disclosed. The gate driver includes a multifunction pin that allows the gate driver to be controlled by a multifunction signal to perform a number of different functions. For example, a level of the multifunction signal at the multifunction pin can enable/disable the output of the gate driver. In another example, a level of the multifunction signal that is held for a period while the gate driver is in a fault state can reset the state of the gate driver. In another example, pulsing the multifunction signal a number of times can activate a test of the fault detection capabilities of the gate driver. Utilizing one pin for this control, simplifies circuit complexity for communication between a controller and the gate driver, thereby reducing cost and increasing reliability.

A method for operating a circuit breaker includes: initiating a shutdown process when a fault current caused by body contact or ground contact is detected; and during the shutdown process, reducing a voltage value between a neutral conductor and at least one current-carrying conductor at an output of the circuit breaker to substantially zero from an operating-voltage value according to a predetermined shutdown curve by a shutdown unit. During the shutdown process, the circuit is not suddenly interrupted, but the voltage value is reduced from a starting point according to the shutdown curve and only reaches substantially zero after a predetermined first time period.

A method for operating a circuit breaker includes: initiating a shutdown process when a fault current caused by body contact or ground contact is detected; and during the shutdown process, reducing a voltage value between a neutral conductor and at least one current-carrying conductor at an output of the circuit breaker to substantially zero from an operating-voltage value according to a predetermined shutdown curve by a shutdown unit. During the shutdown process, the circuit is not suddenly interrupted, but the voltage value is reduced from a starting point according to the shutdown curve and only reaches substantially zero after a predetermined first time period.