A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.

The present disclosure is directed to a safety device for photovoltaic installations. The safety device includes a first terminal adapted to connect to a first output terminal of a solar panel, a second terminal adapted to connect to a second output terminal of the solar panel, a first switching module connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The first switching module comprising a first switch and a first impedance connected in series. The first impedance includes one terminal connected to the first terminal and the first switch includes one terminal connected to the second terminal. A control module is adapted to read a control signal and drive the operation of the first switch based on the read value of the control signal. A powersupply means is adapted to supply power to the control module.

A direct current (DC) power system includes a plurality of energy sources supplying power to a plurality of loads via a DC bus having at least one positive rail. The DC bus includes two DC bus subsections and a DC bus separator coupled between the two DC bus subsections. The DC bus separator includes a controllable switch with at least one of its terminals coupled with a terminal of an inductor to provide a current path between the two DC bus subsections during normal operation via the inductor. The controllable switch is switched off to break the current path when a fault on the positive rail is detected. Furthermore, the DC bus separator includes a diode connected in parallel to the inductor and arranged to provide a circulating current path to dissipate an inductor current in the inductor when the controllable switch is switched off.

An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller, a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head, a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor, and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor, actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal, control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor, and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.

A protection circuit includes a first PMOS and a first PDMOS receiving input of voltage of a voltage dividing point of voltage input from an external power supply terminal, and a second PMOS and a second PDMOS receiving input of drain output voltage of the first PDMOS. The first PMOS is connected on the external power supply terminal side of the first PDMOS, and the second PMOS is connected on the external power supply terminal side of the second PDMOS. During overvoltage application, the voltage of the voltage dividing point is clamped to the breakdown voltage of a Zener diode, the second PDMOS turns OFF, and supply to an integrated circuit protected from overvoltage is cut off. When the voltage source is connected in reverse, parasitic diodes of the first and second PMOSs are reverse-biased and the flow of current in a path through the parasitic diodes is inhibited.

Described are apparatus and methods for control of multi-channel load switches with synchronized power up/down timing sequences. The slew rate control methods of the PMOS load switches contained in the N Multi-channel configuration is also described. A preferred slew rate control circuit includes a power PMOS transistor that is capable of handling load currents of several amperes along with an integrated controller. The integrated controller allows the user to program the power on/off sequences of each of the load switch channels by simply using a single or multiple input enable input pins.

A method and system are provided to control circuit breaker operations. In the method and system, near-field RF signal is monitored at or around electrical contacts of the circuit breaker using at least one near-field radio frequency (RF) sensor, and far-field RF signal away from the contacts of the circuit breaker are monitored using at least one far-field RF sensor. A rate of change of current over time is also monitored on the circuit using at least one sensor. An arc fault on the circuit is detected based on the monitored near-field RF signal, the monitored far-field RF signal, and the monitored rate of change of current. A tripping operation is implemented on the circuit breaker to disconnect the power supply from the circuit, in response to the detection of the arc fault.

This application relates to monitoring of electronic devices (100) and in particular to methods and apparatus for the detection and recording of an electrical overstress applied to a connector (101, 102) of the device. The apparatus describes an integrated circuit integrated circuit (103, 105, 106a) of the host device having a first set of one or more circuit contacts (201, 203, 204, 205) for connection to a connector (101) of a host electronic device. The circuit has an electrical overstress monitor (106, 106a) for detecting and recording an electrical overstress comprising a voltage exceeding a predetermined parameter applied to at least one of said first set of circuit contacts. The electrical overstress monitor (106) may have an overvoltage detector (205) and may have a memory (206) for recording the occurrence of an overvoltage and/or a communication module (207) for communicating with other components of the host device in the event of an electrical overstress.

A bus system comprises a feed module, a load module and a data cable connecting the feed module to the load module. A fuse is provided in an energy path and/or respectively in an energy/data transmission path between a feed module and a load module.

A balun includes an input coil and an output coil with first and second outputs that vary during normal operation. The output coil has a center point connection that remains substantially constant during normal operation. An ESD circuit provides a low impedance path between the center point connection and chip ground when the voltage at the center point connection is above a first threshold voltage or below a second threshold voltage and isolates the center point connection from chip ground otherwise. Another ESD protection circuit provides ESD protection for other input or output terminals of the integrated circuit by selectively coupling the other input or output terminals to chip ground. Thus, a charge that builds up between one of the balun outputs and another terminal on the integrated circuit can be safely dissipated.