The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device with monitoring and communication functions, in particular for the information and process industries, having at least one surge arrester with a self-diagnostics unit and a wireless and/or wired standard interface for data transmission. According to the invention, an additional module is provided to detect the behaviour and/or the properties of a connected electrical energy source, wherein a bidirectional exchange of data and commands to and between a higher-level control system and among multiple overvoltage protection devices takes place and parametrisation of lower-level terminals to be protected can be realised via the standard interface.

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.

An electrical system includes an input node electrically connectable to a power supply. The system includes a plurality of voltage suppressors, with at least one of the voltage suppressors electrically connected to the input node. A voltage selection switch is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of voltage suppressors. A controller in communication with the switch may selectively operate the switch based on a nominal operating voltage at the input node.

A circuit assembly and method use a breakover device that changes states in response to a change in electric energy in a helper circuit that supplies current from a power source to a powered system. The helper circuit includes an inductive element connected with the powered system. The breakover device is in a non-conducting state prior to a discharge event from the powered system to prevent the current from the power source from being conducted through the resistive element. The breakover device changes to a conducting state responsive to the powered system discharging current into the helper circuit. The breakover device conducts the current that is discharged from the powered system through the resistive element to reduce the electric energy in the helper circuit from the current that is discharged.

A power control device includes: an output voltage controller to control the output voltage of a power supply circuit based on a feedback voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage with voltage dividing resistors; and an overvoltage protection circuit to protect against an overvoltage in the output voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes: an output voltage detector to detect whether the output voltage has risen above an output voltage threshold value; and a feedback voltage detector to detect whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value. The overvoltage protection circuit continues or stops operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection output from the output voltage detector and a second detection output from the feedback voltage detector.

A semiconductor device has a protected line connected to a ground line by a triggered clamp. A variable shunt, which includes a depletion mode JFET, is connected between the protected line and the ground line, in parallel with the triggered clamp. The depletion mode JFET is formed in a substrate of the semiconductor device. The channel of the depletion mode JFET provides a resistive path for the variable shunt when the semiconductor device is unpowered, to dissipate charge from the powered line after an ESD event. When the semiconductor device is operated, that is, powered up, the gate of the depletion mode JFET may be biased to turn off the channel, and so reduce impairment of operation of the semiconductor device.

A device may be for protection against overvoltages in a power supply line. The device may include a breakover diode, an avalanche diode coupled in series with the breakover diode, and a switch coupled in parallel with the breakover diode and the avalanche diode. The device may also include a circuit coupled across the avalanche diode and configured to control the switch.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus including a power source and a plurality of electronic subsystems connected in parallel to the power source. Each of the plurality of electronic sub systems includes a circuit breaker, a transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode, and a load. The TVS diode is located downstream of the circuit breaker in each of the plurality of electronic systems.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus including a power source and a plurality of electronic subsystems connected in parallel to the power source. Each of the plurality of electronic sub systems includes a circuit breaker, a transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode, and a load. The TVS diode is located downstream of the circuit breaker in each of the plurality of electronic systems.

The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device with leakage current cutoff, having a parallel connection of a first current branch and a second current branch, wherein the first current branch comprises a switching element and a first non-linear resistor element, and the second current branch comprises a securing element with signaling properties and a second non-linear resistor element and a complex resistor. Dependent on a state modification of the securing element with signaling properties, said switching element is switched.