Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) enabling distributed controls is a requirement for power transmission and distribution, to improve line balancing and distribution efficiency. These FACTS devices are electronic circuits that vary in the type of services they provide. All FACTS devices have internal circuitry to handle fault currents. Most of these circuits are unique in design for each manufacturer, which make these FACTS devices non-modular, non-interchangeable, expensive and heavy. One of the most versatile FACTS device is the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), which is used to inject impedance into the transmission lines to change the power flow characteristics. The addition of integrated fault current handling circuitry makes the SSSC and similar FACTS devices unwieldy, heavy, and not a viable solution for distributed control. What is disclosed are modifications to FACTS devices that move the fault current protection external to the FACTS device and make them modular and re-usable.

Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) enabling distributed controls is a requirement for power transmission and distribution, to improve line balancing and distribution efficiency. These FACTS devices are electronic circuits that vary in the type of services they provide. All FACTS devices have internal circuitry to handle fault currents. Most of these circuits are unique in design for each manufacturer, which make these FACTS devices non-modular, non-interchangeable, expensive and heavy. One of the most versatile FACTS device is the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), which is used to inject impedance into the transmission lines to change the power flow characteristics. The addition of integrated fault current handling circuitry makes the SSSC and similar FACTS devices unwieldy, heavy, and not a viable solution for distributed control. What is disclosed are modifications to FACTS devices that move the fault current protection external to the FACTS device and make them modular and re-usable.

Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) enabling distributed controls is a requirement for power transmission and distribution, to improve line balancing and distribution efficiency. These FACTS devices are electronic circuits that vary in the type of services they provide. All FACTS devices have internal circuitry to handle fault currents. Most of these circuits are unique in design for each manufacturer, which make these FACTS devices non-modular, non-interchangeable, expensive and heavy. One of the most versatile FACTS device is the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), which is used to inject impedance into the transmission lines to change the power flow characteristics. The addition of integrated fault current handling circuitry makes the SSSC and similar FACTS devices unwieldy, heavy, and not a viable solution for distributed control. What is disclosed are modifications to FACTS devices that move the fault current protection external to the FACTS device and make them modular and re-usable.

A capacitor bank includes a plurality of capacitors; a plurality of resistors, each of the capacitors being in series with at least one of the resistors; and a plurality of diodes, each of the diodes being in parallel with one of the resistors. A subsea power cell for converting an electrical three phase input into an electrical one phase output, includes the capacitor bank; a diode rectifier connected to the three phase input; and a plurality of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors connected to the electrical one phase output.

Embodiments include a technique for using a charge pump for a distributed voltage passgate with high voltage protection. The technique includes receiving a reference signal, and preventing the reference signal from passing through a passgate to a circuit, wherein the passgate is an NFET passgate. The technique also includes charging the passgate using a charge pump circuit above the reference signal, and regulating the charge pump circuit using a clock signal. The technique also includes controlling the passgate based at least in part on the charge pump circuit.

Embodiments include a technique for using a charge pump for a distributed voltage passgate with high voltage protection. The technique includes receiving a reference signal, and preventing the reference signal from passing through a passgate to a circuit, wherein the passgate is an NFET passgate. The technique also includes charging the passgate using a charge pump circuit above the reference signal, and regulating the charge pump circuit using a clock signal. The technique also includes controlling the passgate based at least in part on the charge pump circuit.

An RC voltage divider includes a primary part and a secondary part. The secondary part includes at least two equivalent output circuits that are connected in series.

An RC voltage divider includes a primary part and a secondary part. The secondary part includes at least two equivalent output circuits that are connected in series.

A DC overcurrent protection apparatus includes an ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element, an overcurrent detection unit which is electrically connected in a high-current path in series with the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element, and control contacts configured to control the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element. The control contacts are arranged such that they are electrically connectable to one another. The overcurrent detection unit is configured such that, when an overcurrent with a value equal to or greater than a predetermined current value flows in the high-current path, the control contacts, on account of an electromagnetic force generated by the overcurrent, are electrically connected to each other such that an ignition current is transmitted to the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element and the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element is switched by control to a switched-off state.

A DC overcurrent protection apparatus includes an ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element, an overcurrent detection unit which is electrically connected in a high-current path in series with the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element, and control contacts configured to control the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element. The control contacts are arranged such that they are electrically connectable to one another. The overcurrent detection unit is configured such that, when an overcurrent with a value equal to or greater than a predetermined current value flows in the high-current path, the control contacts, on account of an electromagnetic force generated by the overcurrent, are electrically connected to each other such that an ignition current is transmitted to the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element and the ignition current-controlled irreversible high-current switch-off element is switched by control to a switched-off state.