A device (100) for monitoring the status of breakers (20) within a consumer unit (10). The device (100) uses a non-contact, optical sensor (104), such as an IR break-beam sensor (106, 108), or an optical time-of-flight sensor (106, 108) to monitor the positions of the toggle switches (22) on the breakers (20). In the event that one or more of the switches moves to an “off” position (22), an alarm is triggered, such as by sending an SMS message to a user, to alert them of the fact. The device (100) also monitors the consumer unit's power status (1020) and can warn in the event of a power outage of a master isolator or RCD trip. A UPS (1030, 1032, 1034) is suitably provided to enable the device to continue working during a mains power failure.

A disclosed under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit includes an automatic UVLO threshold configuration. The UVLO circuit may include an over-voltage protection circuit that receives power from a power source, a peak detector that detects a peak voltage output for the power source, a voltage threshold generator that sets a UVLO threshold based on the peak voltage output, and a comparator that compares an instantaneous voltage with the UVLO threshold and configures an operating mode of a device based on the comparison.

A disclosed under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit includes an automatic UVLO threshold configuration. The UVLO circuit may include an over-voltage protection circuit that receives power from a power source, a peak detector that detects a peak voltage output for the power source, a voltage threshold generator that sets a UVLO threshold based on the peak voltage output, and a comparator that compares an instantaneous voltage with the UVLO threshold and configures an operating mode of a device based on the comparison.

A monitoring system for monitoring a supply voltage for an electronic component is described, comprising a voltage monitoring unit, which is configured to monitor a voltage level assigned to a supply voltage applied to the electronic component, and a switching unit which is configured to switch the electronic component on and/or off. The switching unit is coupled with the voltage monitoring unit. The switching unit is furthermore configured to switch off the electronic component if the voltage monitoring unit determines that the voltage level is below a predetermined threshold value. A mains monitoring circuit is furthermore described.

A monitoring system for monitoring a supply voltage for an electronic component is described, comprising a voltage monitoring unit, which is configured to monitor a voltage level assigned to a supply voltage applied to the electronic component, and a switching unit which is configured to switch the electronic component on and/or off. The switching unit is coupled with the voltage monitoring unit. The switching unit is furthermore configured to switch off the electronic component if the voltage monitoring unit determines that the voltage level is below a predetermined threshold value. A mains monitoring circuit is furthermore described.

One example discloses a power management circuit, including: a voltage reference circuit including a bandgap circuit coupled to and configured by a first trimming circuit; an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit coupled to and configured by a second trimming circuit; wherein the first trimming circuit and the second trimming circuit are configured to receive a single trim control setting.

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 protected direct-drive depletion-mode (D-mode) GaN semiconductor half-bridge power module is disclosed. Applications include high power inverter applications, such as 100kW to 200kW electric vehicle traction inverters, and other motor drives. The high-side switch is a normally-on D-mode GaN semiconductor power switch Q1 in series with a normally-off LV Si MOSFET power switch M1 and the low-side switch is a normally on D-mode GaN semiconductor power switch Q2. The gates of both Q1 and Q2 are directly driven. M1 in series with Q1 provides a high-side switch which is a normally-off device for start-up and fail-safe protection. M1 may also be used for current sensing and overcurrent protection. For example, a control circuit determines an operational mode of M1 responsive to a UVLO signal and a voltage sense signal indicative of an overcurrent event. Examples of single phase and three-phase half-bridge modules and driver circuits are described.

A DC voltage switch includes a first switch arranged at a first potential between a first terminal of the first switch and a second terminal of the first switch, a first discharging device which is arranged between the first terminal at the first potential and a third terminal at a second potential and includes a first switching element designed as a thyristor, and a second discharging device which is arranged between the second terminal and a fourth terminal at the second potential and includes a second switching element designed as a semiconductor switch that can be switched off. The respective discharging devices connect the first terminal and the third terminal and/or the second terminal and the fourth terminal, at least temporarily, when the DC voltage switch is being or has been switched off.

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.