Described is a controller for a DC/DC converter of a type having N power stages, where N is a natural number greater or equal to 2. The controller comprises a decision maker module, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) or proportional-integral (PI) control module and a transient compression control module. The decision maker module determines a first steady state mode of operation and a second transient mode of operation and is configured to switch control between said first steady state mode of operation to said second transient mode of operation when an operating parameter of one of the N power stages exhibits a predetermined operating condition relative to a predetermined operating limit and/or a predetermined, calculated or selected threshold. The PID or PI module regulates the operating parameter during said first steady state mode of operation. The transient compression control module limits any overshoot, undershoot or imbalances of the operating parameter levels during said second transient mode of operation.

A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.

A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.

A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state switch, an air-gap electromagnetic switch, switch control circuitry, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a current sensor. The solid-state and air-gap switches are connected in series in an electrical path between line input and load output terminals of the circuit breaker. The switch control circuitry controls the solid-state and air-gap switches. The zero-crossing detection circuit detects zero crossings of an AC power waveform on the electrical path. The current sensor senses current flow in the electrical path to detect a fault condition based on the sensed current flow. In response to a detected fault condition, the switch control circuitry generates control signals to place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state and place the air-gap switch into a switched-open state after the solid-state switch is placed into the switched-off state. The switch control circuitry utilizes zero-crossing detection signals output from the zero-crossing detection circuit to determine when to place the air-gap switch into the switched-open state.

A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state bidirectional switch, a switch control circuit, current and voltage sensors, and a processor. The solid-state bidirectional switch is connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-on state and a switched-off state. The switch control circuit control operation of the bidirectional switch. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in an electrical path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage on the electrical path and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to process the current and voltage sense signals to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker, a fault event, and power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

A circuit breaker includes a circuit breaker housing, an air-gap switch disposed within the housing, and a first visual indicator configured to provide an indication of an open state and a closed state of the air-gap switch. The first visual indicator includes a first window that is formed as part of the circuit breaker housing, and first and second indicator elements disposed within the circuit breaker housing. The first indicator element is configured to move into position behind the first window as the air-gap switch is placed into the open state and thereby provide a visual indication of the open state of the air-gap switch. The second indicator element is configured to move into position behind the first window as the air-gap switch is placed into the closed state and thereby provide a visual indication of the closed state of the air-gap switch.

A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

A circuit breaker includes a solid-state switch, a sense resistor, a current detection circuit, and a switch control circuit. The solid-state switch and sense resistor are connected in series in an electrical path between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker. The current detection circuit is configured to (i) sample a sense voltage that is generated across the sense resistor in response to load current flowing through the sense resistor, (ii) detect an over-current fault condition based on the sampled sense voltage, and (iii) output a fault detection signal in response to detecting the over-current fault condition. The switch control circuit is configured to control the solid-state switch, wherein the switch control circuit is configured to switch-off the solid-state switch in response to the fault detection signal output from the current detection circuit.

A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.

A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.