Ground-fault circuit interrupter positioned between energy controlled supply circuit and load circuit which includes fault detection circuit that senses ground path current leakage to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Various examples are provided related to direct current circuit breakers and their control methods. In one example, among others, a hybrid direct current circuit breaker (DCCB) includes an ultrafast mechanical switch (UFMS) connected in series with a commutating switch (CS) or auxiliary circuit breaker (ACB); a main breaker (MB) including a series of η semiconductor switching stages in parallel with the UFMS and CS or ACB; and control circuitry that can turn off individual switching stages in a defined order in response to opening contacts of the UFMS. The switching stages can be turned off based upon a dielectric strength across the contacts as they open. In another example, a method includes opening contacts of an UFMS connected in series with a CS or ACB; and turning off individual switching stages of a series of η semiconductor switching stages connected across the UFMS and the CS or ACB.

A circuit breaker for an electric load includes first and second terminals; a number of first separable contacts each electrically connected between one of the first terminals and one of the second terminals; a first mechanism to open, close or trip open the first contacts; a number of second separable contacts each electrically connected in series with a corresponding one of the first contacts; a second mechanism to open or close the second contacts; a processor to cause the second mechanism to open or close the second contacts, annunciate through one of the second terminals a power circuit electrical parameter for the electric load, receive from a number of the second terminals a confirmation from or on behalf of the electric load to cause the second mechanism to close the second contacts, and determine a fault state operatively associated with current flowing through the second contacts.

A method for operating a pump motor of a control device of a braking system. The control device has the pump motor, a valve device having at least one electrically operable switching valve, a first electric supply connection connectable electrically to the pump motor and a second electric supply connection connectable electrically to the valve device, an electric setpoint operating current being predetermined for the pump motor, and the pump motor being connected electrically to the first supply connection, so that the setpoint operating current is provided at least partially through the first supply connection. It is provided to connect the pump motor electrically to the second supply connection, so that the setpoint operating current is provided at least partially through the second supply connection.

A semiconductor device includes a first terminal for a battery, a second terminal for an inverter circuit, and a transistor. The semiconductor device is configured to control a voltage applied to a control terminal of the transistor to allow supply of a current from the first terminal to the second terminal and allow supply of a current from the second terminal to the first terminal. A withstand voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal is greater than or equal to a voltage between the battery and the inverter circuit.

A switching apparatus comprises: a first current-conductive branch (12) including a first switching element (24), the first switching element (24) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the first current-conductive branch (12); a second current-conductive branch (14) including a second switching element (32), the second switching element (32) configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the second current-conductive branch (14); and first and second terminals (18,20) for connection, in use, to an electrical network (22), wherein the first and second current-conductive branches (12,14) extend between the first and second terminals (18,20), wherein the first current-conductive branch (12) further includes an energy storage element electrically coupled to the second switching element (32) so that the energy storage element is configured as a power source for enabling the operation of the second switching element (32), and the first switching element (24) is configured to be switchable to selectively direct a current flowing in the first current-conductive branch (12) to flow through the energy storage element so as to store energy in the energy storage element.

A low-voltage circuit breaker includes at least one current sensor for determining the magnitude of the electric current of a conductor of the low-voltage circuit breaker; and at least one electromechanical switching unit for connecting and disconnecting at least two electrical contact points. In a first switching position of the movable contact point, two contact points are connected and in a second switching position the contact points are not connected to one another. The circuit breaker further includes at least one electronic switching unit having a semiconductor switching element, electrically conductive in a first switching state and electrically blocking in a second switching state; an electronic tripping unit, connected to the current sensor, the electronic switching unit and the electromechanical switching unit. Further, when current and/or current/time-period limit values of the conductor are exceeded, first the electromechanical switching unit is opened and then the electronic switching unit is blocked.

A circuit breaker includes a solid-state switch, a sense resistor, a current detection circuit, and a switch control circuit. The solid-state switch and sense resistor are connected in series in an electrical path between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker. The current detection circuit is configured to (i) sample a sense voltage that is generated across the sense resistor in response to load current flowing through the sense resistor, (ii) detect an over-current fault condition based on the sampled sense voltage, and (iii) output a fault detection signal in response to detecting the over-current fault condition. The switch control circuit is configured to control the solid-state switch, wherein the switch control circuit is configured to switch off the solid-state switch in response to the fault detection signal output from the current detection circuit.

A low-voltage circuit breaker device includes: at least one line conductor path from a line conductor supply connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device to a line conductor load connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device; a neutral conductor path from a neutral conductor connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device to a neutral conductor load connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device; a mechanical bypass switch arranged in the line conductor path; a first semiconductor circuit assembly of the low-voltage circuit breaker device being connected in parallel with the mechanical bypass switch; an electronic control unit for actuating the mechanical bypass switch and the first semiconductor circuit assembly; an ammeter assembly arranged in the line conductor path, which ammeter assembly is connected to the electronic control unit; and a second semiconductor circuit assembly arranged in the line conductor path.

Methods and systems for suppressing arc formation in branch breakers provide a load center that can monitor a branch breaker for indications of arc formation. The load center may include a main breaker that can immediately cut current to the upon receiving an indication of an arc forming in the branch breaker. The indication may be provided by a sensor circuit that sends a trigger signal to the main breaker when arc formation is detected within the branch breaker. The main breaker checks that the trigger signal indicates arc formation, then cuts current to suppress the arc. The main breaker then waits a short period for the branch breaker to clear before restoring current. The wait period is sufficiently short such that devices receiving power from the load center are not adversely affected. To improve cutoff and restoration response times, the main breaker employs a solid-state trip switch.