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 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.

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 system includes a first circuit breaker comprising a first solid state switch, first mechanical contacts, and a current sensor structured to sense current flowing through the first circuit breaker, and a second circuit breaker electrically coupled to the first circuit breaker and being structured to interrupt current flowing to the first circuit breaker, wherein the first circuit breaker is structured to transmit, to the second circuit breaker, a request upon detecting a failure mode, and wherein the second circuit breaker is structured to interrupt current flowing to the first circuit breaker in response to receiving the request, and the first circuit breaker is further structured to open the first mechanical contacts when the current flowing through the first circuit breaker drops to a predetermined level.

A transformer arrangement is provided. The transformer arrangement includes a transformer with a primary and a secondary winding and a chain link of switching blocks connected in series between one of the windings and a load, where the switching blocks comprise a first set of voltage contribution blocks and a second set of circuit breaker blocks, where the first set of voltage contribution blocks is configured to adjust a voltage output by the transformer with an offset voltage and the second set of circuit breaker blocks is configured to interrupt a current running through the chain link.

Solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices include improved arc-less switching capability and overcurrent protection, improved terminal assemblies and improved thermal management features that reduce or eliminate ignition sources for hazardous environments. The solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices are ignition protected and avoid possible explosions and therefore obviate a need for conventional explosion-proof enclosures to ensure safe operation of an electrical power system in a hazardous location.

In an electrical distribution system including a solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) and one or more downstream mechanical circuit breakers (CBs), a solid-state switching device in the SSCB is repeatedly switched ON and OFF during a short circuit event, to reduce a root-mean-square (RMS) value of the short circuit current. The resulting pulsed short circuit current is regulated in a hysteresis control loop, to limit the RMS to a value low enough to prevent the SSCB from tripping prematurely but high enough to allow one of the downstream mechanical CBs to trip and isolate the short circuit. Pulsing is allowed to continue for a maximum short circuit pulsing time. Only if none of the downstream mechanical CBs is able to trip to isolate the short circuit within the maximum short circuit pulsing time is the SSCB allowed to trip.

The circuit breaker control module of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of semiconductor switching units for blocking current flows of transmission distribution lines or performing switching operations so as to switch the current flow directions; a control unit for controlling the turn-on/turn-off operation of each semiconductor switching unit by transmitting a trip signal to each of the plurality of semiconductor switching units; and a plurality of insulation type signal transmission element units which are provided between the plurality of semiconductor switching units and the control unit such that the semiconductor switching units and the control unit are insulated, and which transmit the trip signal from the control unit to each of the plurality of semiconductor switching units, and thus the presently disclosed circuit breaker control module can reduce the risk of accidents due to an electrical arc and increase the stability and reliability of the control unit.

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 switching apparatus for electric power distribution grids including a first switching unit having one or more first electric poles, each first electric pole being electrically connectable with a corresponding first line conductor of an electric line and including one or more solid-state switches adapted to operate in a conduction state or in an interdiction state to allow or interrupt a current flow, and a second switching unit having one or more second electric poles, each second electric pole being electrically connectable with a corresponding second line conductor of said electric line and electrically connected in series with a corresponding first electric pole of said first switching unit. The switching apparatus further includes a controller implementing a robust control logic to the operation of said first and second switching units.