A method for monitoring an ideal diode comprises controlling a source-gate voltage of a MOSFET of the ideal diode such that the ideal diode can be changed between an off and an on state with a first target value for a source-drain voltage. To detect error states, the source-drain voltage and the source-gate voltage are measured. A check is carried out to determine whether the source-drain voltage reaches the first target value within predefined error limits in the on state. A test mode is carried out, in which a second target value which smaller than the first target value is set for the source-drain voltage. A check is carried out to determine whether the source-gate voltage reaches an upper threshold value when the test mode is being carried out. An error signal is output when the first target value and/or the upper threshold value is/are not reached.

An apparatus, system and method of controlling the supply of DC current from a power source to an electrical load provides for a protective circuit that senses the characteristics of the connected load prior to permitting the enablement of a switch connecting the supply and the load. A voltage arising from applying a constant current to the load during a time period is compared with a predetermined threshold determined by the intended capacity of the switch so that, when closed, the current through the switch is compatible with the switch. The protective circuit may be used in conjunction with semiconductor switches, electromechanical contactors or relays. A plurality of such devices may be incorporated in an enclosure and controlled by logic so as to manage the supply of power from a power source to a plurality of electrical loads having differing power requirements.

An apparatus, system and method of controlling the supply of DC current from a power source to an electrical load provides for a protective circuit that senses the characteristics of the connected load prior to permitting the enablement of a switch connecting the supply and the load. A voltage arising from applying a constant current to the load during a time period is compared with a predetermined threshold determined by the intended capacity of the switch so that, when closed, the current through the switch is compatible with the switch. The protective circuit may be used in conjunction with semiconductor switches, electromechanical contactors or relays. A plurality of such devices may be incorporated in an enclosure and controlled by logic so as to manage the supply of power from a power source to a plurality of electrical loads having differing power requirements.

A serial IGBT voltage equalization method and system based on an auxiliary voltage source is disclosed. The method includes the following steps. (1) Detect a port dynamic voltage of each serial IGBT. (2) Perform dynamic overvoltage diagnosis respectively on the port dynamic voltage of each IGBT. (3) Supply emergency high level signal to the gate of the IGBT when there is dynamic overvoltage. (4) Stop supplying emergency high level signal to the gate of the IGBT, supply a constant voltage at the gate of the IGBT through the auxiliary voltage source. The invention provides a constant voltage through the auxiliary voltage source, prolongs the off time of the faulty IGBT, and turns off other IGBTs simultaneously, thereby achieving the purpose of serial IGBT voltage equalization.

A power stage includes a control device and a power transistor, the control device comprising a primary circuit comprising: a control module able to generate a control current, a primary circuit malfunction detector able to detect a malfunction, a pulse transformer comprising a primary winding connected to the primary circuit, comprising a secondary winding connected to the secondary circuit, magnetically coupled to the primary winding and able to generate, from the control current, an induced pulse current making it possible to drive the power transistor, a secondary circuit comprising: a power and fault detection controller able to detect a malfunction of the secondary circuit or of the power transistor, the power and fault detection controller being able to communicate the malfunction of the secondary circuit or of the power transistor to the primary circuit malfunction detector.

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with power properties of a rotating load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine frequency properties based on the power properties and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the frequency properties. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with power properties of a rotating load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine frequency properties based on the power properties and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the frequency properties. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

A method for controlling an electrical switch using a driver waveform, wherein the driver waveform comprises: a first time period, T.sub.1, associated with a first current, I.sub.G_high; a second time period, T.sub.2, associated with a second current, I.sub.G_low; wherein: the first current of the driver waveform, I.sub.G_high, is larger than the second current of the driver waveform, I.sub.G_low; and the first time period, T.sub.1, has a first duration and the second time period, T.sub.2, has a second duration. The method comprising: determining an optimised first duration by repeatedly modifying the first duration until an overshoot in an output waveform generated by switching the electrical switch using the driver waveform is less than a threshold; determining an optimised second duration based on the optimised first duration; and switching the electrical switch using the optimised first duration and the optimised second duration.

A method for controlling an electrical switch using a driver waveform, wherein the driver waveform comprises: a first time period, T.sub.1, associated with a first current, I.sub.G_high; a second time period, T.sub.2, associated with a second current, I.sub.G_low; wherein: the first current of the driver waveform, I.sub.G_high, is larger than the second current of the driver waveform, I.sub.G_low; and the first time period, T.sub.1, has a first duration and the second time period, T.sub.2, has a second duration. The method comprising: determining an optimised first duration by repeatedly modifying the first duration until an overshoot in an output waveform generated by switching the electrical switch using the driver waveform is less than a threshold; determining an optimised second duration based on the optimised first duration; and switching the electrical switch using the optimised first duration and the optimised second duration.

A galvanically isolated gate driver for a power transistor is disclosed. The gate driver provides various temperature protection features that are enabled by (i) diagnostic circuitry to generate fault signals and monitoring signals, (ii) signal processing to enable communication over a shared communication channel across an isolation barrier, (iii) signal processing to reduce operating current needed for real-time thermal monitoring, and (iv) a disable circuit for unused temperature sensing pins.