Systems and methods are provided for providing thermal protection to a power backplane printed circuit board. A distributed hotspot detection grid is included in the printed circuit board, the distributed hotspot detection grid comprising a plurality of passive temperature sensors spread across the printed circuit board to measure temperature increases. The plurality of passive temperature sensors are connected to a detection circuit for comparing signals from the passive temperature sensors to a reference signal. If the temperature increases on the PCB, electrical characteristics of at least one passive temperature sensor will change, resulting in a change of the input signal to the detection circuit. When the threshold is exceeded (indicating a potential short circuit or hotspot), the detection circuit outputs a shut down signal to the one or more power supplies connected to the of the backplane printed circuit board, to avoid catastrophic damage to the printed circuit board.

The present disclosure discloses an electrical switchgear configured to control an electro-magnet by using the electro-magnet, a critical temperature device, and an electro-magnet control unit without using a bimetal and a mechanical contact. The electro-magnet switches power applied through a power line in response to a flow of control current to a power device connected to a load side. In a critical temperature device, an output current value varies when a temperature of a heating wire, which is connected to the power line, exceeds a critical temperature by supply current flowing to the power device. An electro-magnet control unit, which is realizable with an SCR, allows a flow of control current of the electro-magnet to be generated or cut off in response to the output current value of the critical temperature device.

In a power supply control device, a temperature calculation circuit calculates a wire temperature of a wire based on the current value of a current flowing through the wire. If the wire temperature calculated by the temperature calculation circuit is lower than a temperature threshold value, a drive unit switches on or off a switch in accordance with content indicated by a control signal output by a communication unit. When the wire temperature calculated by the temperature calculation circuit rises to the temperature threshold value or higher, the drive unit switches off the switch independently of content indicated by a control signal output by the communication unit.

Electrical apparatuses with connector overheating protection and methods for protecting electrical apparatuses from connector overheating during current sinking and current sourcing operations are presented. The electrical apparatus includes an electrical connector and a temperature sensor, which is in direct contact with a physical part of the electrical connector. The temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the electrical connector during current sinking and current sourcing operations. During current sinking, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the electrical apparatus is switched off. During current sourcing, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the sinking device is switched off. Switching off the source of current prevents overheating of the electrical connector and protects the electrical apparatus during current sinking and current sourcing operations.

Electrical connectors with integral fault detection are provided. The connectors are adapted to be coupled to AC multi-phase electrical cables, and can include a plurality of phase contacts, a detector, and an indicator. The phase contacts include a first phase contact, a second phase contact, and a third phase contact to receive a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase, respectively, of the electrical cable. The detector is configured to monitor a first temperature associated with the first phase contact, a second temperature associated with the second phase contact, and a third temperature associated with the third phase contact to detect a temperature fault at any of the contacts. The indicator is operatively coupled to the detector and is configured to indicate presence of the temperature fault.

An over-temperature protection system has a control board mounted in a charging device and a temperature sensor mounted in a charging plug. A switch is coupled on a power circuit of the charging plug and controlled by the control board. When the charging plug is connected to a power supply and the charging device begins a charging operation, the control board periodically receives temperature information of the charging plug sensed by the temperature sensor. When the control board determines that the temperature of the charging plug is abnormal, the switch is open to interrupt the power circuit so as to stop the charging operation for ensuring safety of the charging device.

An over-temperature protection system has a control board mounted in a charging device and a temperature sensor mounted in a charging plug. A switch is coupled on a power circuit of the charging plug and controlled by the control board. When the charging plug is connected to a power supply and the charging device begins a charging operation, the control board periodically receives temperature information of the charging plug sensed by the temperature sensor. When the control board determines that the temperature of the charging plug is abnormal, the switch is open to interrupt the power circuit so as to stop the charging operation for ensuring safety of the charging device.

A multi-function probe wire de-icing apparatus is described. The multi-function probe wire de-icing apparatus may include a multi-function probe wire, a main heater wire collocated with the multi-function probe wire, and a sacrificial wire deposed adjacent to the main heater wire. The sacrificial wire is configured to fail prior to the main heater wire failing.

One embodiment of a disclosed cable protection device connected between the positive and negative wires of the cable that provides an efficient method of protection from overheating of the device due to changes in temperatures with minimal power dissipation. The cable protection device includes a temperature monitoring device that continuously senses the temperature of the cable and device to check for overheating. A controller connected to the temperature monitor sends out an alarm message and a control signal to either an actuator circuit or a crowbar function circuit. The actuator circuit can send out current pulses to the adapter indicating the adapter to lower its current limit, so that the device can still keep charging and is not over heated. The crowbar function circuit causes the adapter to turn off power to the cable in order to provide burning of the device or connector due to overheating.

Electrical apparatuses with connector overheating protection and methods for protecting electrical apparatuses from connector overheating during current sinking and current sourcing operations are presented. The electrical apparatus includes an electrical connector and a temperature sensor, which is in direct contact with a physical part of the electrical connector. The temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the electrical connector during current sinking and current sourcing operations. During current sinking, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the electrical apparatus is switched off. During current sourcing, if the temperature sensor senses a predetermined level of overheating of the electrical connector, then the sourcing of current to the sinking device is switched off. Switching off the source of current prevents overheating of the electrical connector and protects the electrical apparatus during current sinking and current sourcing operations.