A smart circuit breaker includes a communication interface, separable contacts, a processing unit having a memory with a routine stored therein which, when executed by the processing unit causes the processing unit to: sense a power outage in an electrical grid, control a meter to open contacts to disconnect from the electrical grid, sense power restoration to the electrical grid, control contacts corresponding to a secondary power source to open, control the meter to close contacts to reconnect to the electrical grid, sense that a frequency of power from the electrical grid matches a frequency of power from the secondary power source, and control the contacts corresponding to the secondary power source to close.

An absence of voltage detection system has an isolation module connected to a voltage source to be detected an I/O accessory module connected to the isolation module wherein the I/O accessory module is configured to allow remote activation of the isolation module.

A device for protecting an electronic computer against a short circuit. The electronic computer including a shunt resistor, a first computer pin and being coupled to at least one sensor comprising a first sensor pin and a second sensor pin. Furthermore including a transistor driving module having a first driving pin coupled to a first shunt pin, a second driving pin coupled to a positive power supply, a second shunt pin being coupled firstly to a first sensor pin and secondly to a first comparator pin of a comparator module and designed to no longer supply electric power to the sensor through the first sensor pin when a short circuit is detected at the sensor.

A device for protecting an electronic computer against a short circuit. The electronic computer including a shunt resistor, a first computer pin and being coupled to at least one sensor comprising a first sensor pin and a second sensor pin. Furthermore including a transistor driving module having a first driving pin coupled to a first shunt pin, a second driving pin coupled to a positive power supply, a second shunt pin being coupled firstly to a first sensor pin and secondly to a first comparator pin of a comparator module and designed to no longer supply electric power to the sensor through the first sensor pin when a short circuit is detected at the sensor.

A system for monitoring low voltage electrical circuits for changes in their electrical characteristics corresponding to changes in their physical characteristics. The system includes a device which provides the electrical origination and termination for low voltage electrical circuits and the logic necessary to measure the electrical characteristics of low voltage electrical circuits and detect changes in the electrical characteristics of low voltage electrical circuits. The system includes a method for calibrating to the unique electrical characteristics of individual low voltage circuits with this method producing a circuit specific configuration for each low voltage electrical circuit and that configuration being utilized by the device to monitor each individual low voltage circuit.

A system for monitoring low voltage electrical circuits for changes in their electrical characteristics corresponding to changes in their physical characteristics. The system includes a device which provides the electrical origination and termination for low voltage electrical circuits and the logic necessary to measure the electrical characteristics of low voltage electrical circuits and detect changes in the electrical characteristics of low voltage electrical circuits. The system includes a method for calibrating to the unique electrical characteristics of individual low voltage circuits with this method producing a circuit specific configuration for each low voltage electrical circuit and that configuration being utilized by the device to monitor each individual low voltage circuit.

A lamp driver circuit for driving a lamp is provided. The lamp driver circuit includes: an under voltage protection circuit; a control circuit coupled to the under voltage protection circuit; and a driver transistor coupled to the control circuit for driving the lamp under the control of the control circuit. The under voltage protection circuit detects an operation voltage. When the operation voltage is lower than a threshold, the under voltage protection circuit outputs an enable signal. The control circuit receives the enable signal to shut down the control circuit and shut down the driver transistor.

A lamp driver circuit for driving a lamp is provided. The lamp driver circuit includes: an under voltage protection circuit; a control circuit coupled to the under voltage protection circuit; and a driver transistor coupled to the control circuit for driving the lamp under the control of the control circuit. The under voltage protection circuit detects an operation voltage. When the operation voltage is lower than a threshold, the under voltage protection circuit outputs an enable signal. The control circuit receives the enable signal to shut down the control circuit and shut down the driver transistor.

A circuit interrupter (100) for interrupting an electric current in an electrical line is disclosed. The circuit interrupter (100) includes a controller (102) for detecting a breaker fault condition. The controller (102) is connected to a first semiconductor switch (114) for energizing a solenoid (104) to trip a circuit breaker on detection of the breaker fault condition, wherein a winding of the solenoid (104) is energized to trip the circuit breaker, and wherein the solenoid (104) is configured with a center tap in the winding, such that there are two parts (106, 108) in the winding separated by the center tap. Further, upon detection of an open condition in a part of the winding, the controller (102) is configured to provide a trip signal to the circuit breaker using the other part of the winding.

A method of generating a gate drive signal for driving a control terminal of a power switch includes detecting a system input signal; determining a signal pulse of the system input signal being a first signal pulse following a power up event, or following an idle period, or following removal of a fault condition; and in response, generating a soft gate drive signal to drive the control terminal of the power switch to softly turn on the power switch. In another embodiment, the method includes determining a duration of the on period of the system input signal exceeding a maximum on duration and in response, disabling the gate drive signal to turn off the power switch; and determining a deassertion transition of the system input signal and in response, blocking the system input signal from the gate drive signal for a minimum off duration.