Disclosed is a circuit breaker apparatus, including a first switching assembly, a first controller, a second switching assembly and a second controller. The first switching assembly is connected in series between a positive pole of a power supply and a load. The first switching assembly includes multiple first switching units in series. The first controller is electrically connected to a first pre-set reference potential of the first switching assembly. The first controller is electromagnetically coupled with each first switching unit through a first transformer unit. The second switching assembly is connected in series between a negative pole of the power supply and the load. The second switching assembly includes multiple second switching units in series. The second controller is electrically connected to a second pre-set reference potential of the second switching assembly. The second controller is electromagnetically coupled with each second switching unit through a second transformer unit.

A device for maintaining an operation state of a relay with a second voltage value that is less than a first voltage value, the first voltage value being an initial driving voltage for the relay, includes: a main switch to output an output voltage to the relay by switching an input voltage according to a main operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a first switch; the first switch to adjust the main operating voltage according to a first operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a second switch; the second switch to control the first operating voltage according to an output voltage of a comparator; the comparator to output the output voltage by comparing a reference voltage value with a voltage of a reference node; and a third switch to control the voltage of the reference node according to an input signal.

A protection circuit for protecting a load, such as a winch motor, from an overcurrent as well as from a circuit fault including welded primary switch contacts and a failure of its MOS/FET component. A power MOS/FET is used as a current mirror for sensing load current. A secondary switch is series connected to control the primary switch. A control circuit including a programmable data processor controls the MOS/FET and the secondary switch and senses the current through the MOS/FET's secondary source terminal and senses the voltage at its primary source terminal. The programmable data processor determines whether an overcurrent exists by comparing the sensed power circuit current to a stored overcurrent value and also senses whether the contacts of the primary switch are welded closed and whether the MOS/FET has been damaged. Additional conditions are sensed. Application of power to the load is prevented when such conditions are detected.

Various examples are provided related to diode clamped solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs). Their configuration allows operation of the SSCB without dynamic voltage balancing issues. In one example, a diode clamped SSCB includes source-side switches and line-side switches connected between a DC source connection and a line-side connection. Clamping capacitors are connected at a common connection point between the source-side and line side switches and source-side and line-side clamping diodes are connected between the source-side switches and line-side switches and the clamping capacitors. Sequential switching of the source-side switches or line-side switches can avoid dynamic voltage balancing issues.

A circuit structure applied to a driver of an electronic device and for switching power supply units between series-connected and parallel-connected configurations includes an electricity output portion having a first end and a second end, two power supply units, and a switch unit. Each power supply unit includes an electricity element having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a front diode having an anode connected to the positive electrode and a cathode electrically connected to the first end, and a rear diode having a cathode connected to the negative electrode and an anode electrically connected to the second end. The switch unit has a first end and a second end respectively connected to the positive electrode of one electricity element and the negative electrode of the other electricity element, and a closed-circuit state and an open-circuit state when the electricity elements are respectively series-connected or parallel-connected to output electricity.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for a single or multi-dimmer system having improved reliable connectivity between a dimmer assembly and a switch or between two or more dimmer assemblies.

A drive cycle controller includes a drive cycle switching unit and an output state determination unit. The drive cycle switching unit switches a drive cycle of a microcomputer, which monitors an output of a device, from a first drive cycle to a second drive cycle that is shorter than the first drive cycle if the microcomputer detects a change in an output of the device at an activation timing in the first drive cycle. The output state determination unit determines an output state of the device if the microcomputer confirms that the output has remained changed at an activation timing in the second drive cycle.

A device for maintaining an operation state of a relay with a second voltage value that is less than a first voltage value, the first voltage value being an initial driving voltage for the relay, includes: a main switch to output an output voltage to the relay by switching an input voltage according to a main operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a first switch; the first switch to adjust the main operating voltage according to a first operating voltage that varies according to an ON-OFF state of a second switch; the second switch to control the first operating voltage according to an output voltage of a comparator; the comparator to output the output voltage by comparing a reference voltage value with a voltage of a reference node; and a third switch to control the voltage of the reference node according to an input signal.

Disclosed is a circuit breaker apparatus, including a first switching assembly, a first controller, a second switching assembly and a second controller. The first switching assembly is connected in series between a positive pole of a power supply and a load. The first switching assembly includes multiple first switching units in series. The first controller is electrically connected to a first pre-set reference potential of the first switching assembly. The first controller is electromagnetically coupled with each first switching unit through a first transformer unit. The second switching assembly is connected in series between a negative pole of the power supply and the load. The second switching assembly includes multiple second switching units in series. The second controller is electrically connected to a second pre-set reference potential of the second switching assembly. The second controller is electromagnetically coupled with each second switching unit through a second transformer unit.

A system on an integrated circuit (IC) chip includes an input terminal and a return terminal. A heater coupled between the input terminal and the return terminal. A thermopile is spaced apart from the heater by a galvanic isolation region. A switch device includes a control input coupled to an output of the thermopile. The switch device is coupled to at least one output terminal of the IC chip.