An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes: a first resistor coupled between a first input terminal of the ESD protection device and a first node of the ESD protection device; a second resistor coupled between the first node and a first output terminal of the ESD protection device; and a first ESD protection component coupled between the first node and a reference voltage terminal of the ESD protection device, where the reference voltage terminal is configured to be coupled to a reference voltage.

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) device includes a USB Type-C connector having a configuration channel (CC) terminal and an integrated circuit (IC) controller. The IC controller comprises a VCONN pin coupled to the CC terminal of the USB Type-C connector, an output terminal, and an on-chip voltage protection circuit coupled between the VCONN pin and the output terminal. The on-chip voltage protection circuit comprises a switch coupled between the VCONN pin and the output terminal, a pump logic coupled to a gate of the switch, a resistor coupled between the VCONN pin and the gate of the switch, and a diode clamp coupled between the gate of the switch and ground.

An arc suppressing circuit configured to suppress arcing across a power contactor coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source having a predetermined number of phases, each contact of the power contactor corresponding to one of the predetermined number of phases includes a number of dual unidirectional arc suppressors equal to the predetermined number of phases of the AC power source. Each dual unidirectional arc suppressor includes a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a positive domain, a a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a negative domain, and a coil lock controller, configured to be coupled between a contact coil driver of the power contactor, configured to detect an output condition from the contact coil driver and inhibit operation of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors over a predetermined time.

An electrical connector provided with a varistor, and to a protection device for incorporation into an electrical connector and having a varistor comprising at least two pins including a first pin which is a live (502) or neutral (504) pin and a second pin which is an earth pin (506), the first and second pins (502, 504, 506) extending through respective apertures (512) in a varistor plate (514) which has first and second faces, wherein a first conductive layer on the first face of the varistor plate (514) connects electrically to the first pin (502, 504) and a second conductive region on the second face of the varistor plate connects electrically to the second pin (506), so that in response to an excessive voltage across the first (502, 504) and second (506) pins the varistor plate will conduct electricity between the first (502, 504) and second (506) pins. The arrangement can easily be adopted in connectors conforming to existing standards, such as existing mains electrical plugs (500).

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes: a first resistor coupled between a first input terminal of the ESD protection device and a first node of the ESD protection device; a second resistor coupled between the first node and a first output terminal of the ESD protection device; and a first ESD protection component coupled between the first node and a reference voltage terminal of the ESD protection device, where the reference voltage terminal is configured to be coupled to a reference voltage.

In one embodiment, and apparatus includes an electrical socket for connection with an electrical plug, a sensor for identifying a secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug, and an electronic controller electrically coupled to the electrical socket and comprising a power input for receiving power. The electronic controller is operable to transmit power to the electrical socket upon receiving a signal from the sensor identifying the secure connection between the electrical socket and the electrical plug and shut off or turn on power to the electrical socket upon receiving an external input to the electronic controller. A method is also disclosed herein. The apparatus and method provide an electronic controlled power switch or circuit breaker safety device.

A connector with overvoltage protection, and methods of use, for charging an electric aircraft. The connector includes a housing, at least a current conductor, a protection circuit, at least a sensor and a controller. The housing is configured to mate with an electric aircraft port of the electric aircraft. The at least a current conductor is configured to conduct a current. The protection circuit is configured to control transmission of electrical power through the connector. The at least a sensor is configured to detect an output voltage of the connector. The controller is communicatively connected to the at least a sensor. The controller is configured to determine an overvoltage output as a function of the output voltage, and activate the protection circuit based on detection of the overvoltage output.

An arc suppressing circuit configured to suppress arcing across a power contactor coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source having a predetermined number of phases, each contact of the power contactor corresponding to one of the predetermined number of phases includes a number of dual unidirectional arc suppressors equal to the predetermined number of phases of the AC power source. Each dual unidirectional arc suppressor includes a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a positive domain, a a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a negative domain, and a coil lock controller, configured to be coupled between a contact coil driver of the power contactor, configured to detect an output condition from the contact coil driver and inhibit operation of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors over a predetermined time.

A high speed arc suppressor and method include a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across contacts of the power contactor in a positive domain and a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the contacts in a negative domain. First and second high speed switches are configured to enable and disable operation of an associated one of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors. First and second drivers are configured to drive the first and second high speed switches.

The invention relates to a pluggable device combination for protecting against surges, having a socket-like bottom part of U-shaped cross section for receiving at least one plug module which accommodates a surge protection element, latching means which act between the plug module and the socket-like bottom part being provided, said latching means comprising first means which are formed on a biased joint on opposite sides of the plug module and respectively interact in a latching manner with associated second means on the bottom part, the latching connection being breakable by pressing the joint at the faces of the plug module, and the respective joint transitioning into an actuation area, the actuation areas additionally being formed opposite each other on the plug module in such a way that imaginary connecting lines between the actuation areas would form the shape of an at least approximate triangle.