An object of the present invention is to stop the driving of a semiconductor element swiftly at a time of abnormality while sharing an output terminal between temperature information and an error signal in an IPM. In the intelligent power module of the present invention, each drive circuit includes an output control circuit configured to select the error signal while the error signal generation circuit outputs the error signal, to select the temperature signal while the error signal generation circuit does not output the error signal, and to output a selected signal as an alarm signal. The temperature signal generation circuit is configured to change the voltage value of the temperature signal in accordance with the element temperature of the specific semiconductor element within a voltage range different from the voltage value of the error signal.

A test signal is applied from a continuity test source to a photovoltaic (PV) panel string, to test electrical continuity in the PV panel string and between the PV panel string and an inverter that is coupled to the PV panel string. If the test signal is detected at a PV panel disconnect switch that is separate from the continuity test source and switchably couples one or more Direct Current (DC) PV panels in the PV panel string, then the PV panel disconnect switch is controlled to connect the one or more DC PV panels in the PV panel string. Otherwise, the PV panel disconnect switch is controlled to disconnect the one or more DC PV panels from the PV panel string. The test signal could be, for example, an Alternating Current (AC) signal tuned to a PV installation that includes the PV panel string and the inverter.

A process tests an operability of a circuit breaker device (18, 20, 34) to establish/sever a connection of two circuit areas (36, 38, 40, 42). The circuit breaker device includes a MOSFET (44) with a source terminal (46) connected with a circuit area, a drain terminal (48) connected with a circuit area, and a gate terminal (50) with a gate voltage applied by an associated gate driver device (52) to switch into a connection switching state connecting the two circuit areas during a connection phase. The gate voltage is monitored during the connection phase, a base voltage being applied to the source terminal or/and to the drain terminal during the connection phase is monitored. If a difference between the gate voltage and the base voltage falls below a predefined reference difference during the connection phase, it is determined that a circuit defect is present in the MOSFET.

An integrated circuit includes a signal pad, an output buffer having an output coupled to the signal pad and having an enable input, an input buffer having an input coupled to the signal pad and having an enable input, a counter, and a gating circuit. The counter is enabled to start counting down a predetermined count value when a voltage on the signal pad is both higher than a predetermined low threshold voltage and lower than a predetermined high threshold voltage, wherein the predetermined low threshold voltage corresponds to a threshold below which a voltage corresponds to a logic level zero and the predetermined high threshold voltage corresponds to a threshold above which a voltage corresponds to a logic level one. The gating circuit is configured to, in response to the counter expiring, disable the input buffer and the output buffer.

A system, a switch assembly and an associated method. The system includes a number of switch assemblies, each including a switch module, isolation circuits, a detection unit, and a drive unit. The switch module includes power switch devices connected in parallel. The switch modules are connected in series. The isolation circuits each are connected in series to a gate terminal of at least one corresponding power switch device of the power switch devices. Each isolation circuit includes a capacitor or a controllable switch. The detection unit detects faults in at least one of the power switch devices. The drive unit is coupled to the switch module via the isolation circuits for driving the power switch devices of the corresponding switch module, and when the fault is detected, the drive unit is for turning on the power switch devices parallel connected to the at least one of faulty power switch devices.

A coupler for connecting a portable inverter supply to a load center includes a neutral-to-ground bonding switch that is actuated from a closed state to an open state when a load side center neutral connector and a load side center ground connector of the coupler are respectively connected to a load center side neutral conductor and a load center side ground conductor. In the closed state, the neutral-to-ground bonding switch connects the second conductor to the third conductor. In the open state, the neutral-to-ground bonding switch disconnects the second conductor from the third conductor.

A display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one driver integrally formed in a surrounding region, a plurality of monitor TFTs formed near the at least one driver, and including a. first TFT and a second TFT, and a temperature difference detection. circuit for detecting a difference between a temperature of the first TFT and a temperature of the second TFT, the basis of a first gate voltage of the first TFT and a second gate voltage of the second TFT that occur when a predetermined current is supplied to a drain of each of the first and second TFTs. The temperature difference detection. circuit may detect a difference between a temperature of the first TFT and a temperature of the second TFT, on the basis of a first drain current of the first TFT and a second drain. current of the second TFT that occur when a predetermined direct-current voltage is supplied to a gate of each of the first and second TFTs.

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 power supply means is adapted to supply power to the control module.

In order both to accommodate instantaneous current as well as overcurrent protection in accordance with the load, an overcurrent protection circuit has: a threshold value generation unit that, in accordance with a threshold value control signal, switches between setting an overcurrent detection threshold value to a first set value ( Iref) and a second set value ( Iset) lower than the first set value; an overcurrent detection unit that compares a sense signal in accordance with the current being monitored and the overcurrent detection value and generates an overcurrent protection signal; a reference value generation unit that generates a reference value ( Iset) in accordance with the seconds set value; a comparison unit that compares the sense signal and the reference value, and generates a comparison signal; and a threshold value control unit that monitors the comparison signal, and generates a threshold value control signal.

The invention relates to a transmitter for transmitting a process variable to a programmable logic controller. In a current mode a 4-20 milliamp current is fed into a burden and in a voltage mode 0-10 Volt signals are generated. The transmitter includes a process value input, a current stage, a voltage stage and a U/I output for the current or the voltage signal, and a U/I control input for switching between the two modes. The transmitter is configured to feed a current which is dependent on the voltage across the burden into the current stage via a resistor and thus to compensate for a current loss at the voltage stage which is dependent on the voltage across the burden.