A switching device includes a number of line sections corresponding to a number of phases, each including a first and a second connection part, for connection to a connection phase of an electrical consumer. At least one controllable semiconductor switching element is provided per phase, wired between the first and second connection part. A bypass unit includes one controllable electromechanical switching element with a low on-resistance per phase. The controllable electromechanical switching element is wired, in parallel with the controllable semiconductor switching element of this phase, between the first and second connection part. The first and second connection part of a respective phase are arranged adjacently on one side of the power module in spatial proximity in a direction of extent. A contact bridge, assigned to a respective phase, runs in the direction of extent in order to electrically connect the first and second connection part in the switched-on state.

The invention relates to monitoring operation of a switching device in a power system, where a load is connected to a power source through the switching device. The load has windings, with coupling between at least one of two or more phases of a winding, and two or more windings of the load. The method includes obtaining measurements of at least one of voltages and currents, at one or more of a source and load side. Further, the method determines an electrical parameter associated with electrical switching of one or more poles. The parameter for each pole is determined based on at least one of voltage measurements at the source and load side, and line measurements associated with at least one winding. The values of the electrical parameter are monitored to determine the switching instant of the pole, for determining mechanical operating time deviation for estimating future switching instants.

A fusible switch disconnect device includes a housing adapted to receive at least one fuse therein, and a switchable contact for connecting the fuse to circuitry. A tripping mechanism and control circuitry are provided to move the switchable contact to an open position in response to a predetermined electrical condition.

A system and method are provided to detect a fault on a circuit. A current sensor is provided for sensing current on at least one line conductor and/or a neutral conductor on a circuit, and a switch is operated between at least first and second positions to selectively control a signal pathway on the at least one line conductor or the neutral conductor in relations to the sensor. The sensor performs a first current measurement corresponding to current across one conductor from the at least one line conductor and the neutral conductor in the first position, and a second current measurement corresponding to a current balance or imbalance between the conductors in the second position. The current sensor outputs the first current measurement for detecting an arc fault in the first position, or the second current measurement for detecting a ground fault in the second position.

An electric meter in a utility box is capable of detecting arcing conditions between meter blades and a meter socket in the utility box at a premises. The electric meter includes a current-transformer structure forming an enclosed space. An arc detection antenna can be placed in the enclosed space along with the current transformer. The current-transformer structure is placed on a baseplate of the electric meter near the blades connected to the meter socket. Leads of the arc detection antenna are electrically connected to an arc detection circuit configured to detect arcing conditions based on the signal received from the arc detection antenna. If it is determined that the arcing condition is present, the electric meter may be activated to interrupt the connection between the power source and the premises.

The invention relates to monitoring operation of a switching device in a power system, where a load is connected to a power source through the switching device. The load has windings, with coupling between at least one of two or more phases of a winding, and two or more windings of the load. The method includes obtaining measurements of at least one of voltages and currents, at one or more of a source and load side. Further, the method determines an electrical parameter associated with electrical switching of one or more poles. The parameter for each pole is determined based on at least one of voltage measurements at the source and load side, and line measurements associated with at least one winding. The values of the electrical parameter are monitored to determine the switching instant of the pole, for determining mechanical operating time deviation for estimating future switching instants.

Systems and methods for detecting an arc fault in a circuit breaker use a single-coil current rate of change (di/dt) sensor for monitoring both low frequency alternating current (AC) and broadband high frequency noise on a power line. The di/dt sensor is optimized to amplify any broadband high frequency noise, typically from about 1 MHz to 40 MHz, that may be present on the power line. Low frequency signals representing the current being monitored, typically from about 1 Hz to 10 KHz, is provided to an active integrator circuit with a high gain to enable the single-coil sensitivity. To shorten capacitor charge up time of the active integrator circuit, a charging current is provided to the active integrator circuit upon startup of the circuit breaker.

A safety circuit (100) for a power system (102) of a vehicle (300), the safety circuit comprising: a hazardous voltage interlock loop (HVIL) circuit (104) configured to disconnect a high-voltage energy source (106) from a high-voltage system (108), the HVIL-circuit comprising a contactor (110) and a HVIL control unit (111); a current meter (112) arranged to measure a current; a fuse (114); a switching circuit (116) controlling the contactor of the HVIL-circuit; and a safety circuit control unit (118) connected to the current meter and to the switching circuit for controlling the contactor, wherein the safety circuit control unit is configured to: if the HVIL control unit provides a control signal to the switching circuit to open the contactor, and if the current measurement exceeds a first threshold current value, control the switching circuit to delay the opening of the contactor by a controllable time period.

A circuit interrupter (100) for interrupting an electric current in an electrical line is disclosed. The circuit interrupter (100) includes a controller (102) for detecting a breaker fault condition. The controller (102) is connected to a first semiconductor switch (114) for energizing a solenoid (104) to trip a circuit breaker on detection of the breaker fault condition, wherein a winding of the solenoid (104) is energized to trip the circuit breaker, and wherein the solenoid (104) is configured with a center tap in the winding, such that there are two parts (106, 108) in the winding separated by the center tap. Further, upon detection of an open condition in a part of the winding, the controller (102) is configured to provide a trip signal to the circuit breaker using the other part of the winding.

A unipolar switching module made of insulating material and including an incorporated thermomagnetic tripping set, and/or a current measurer and power supply set for an electronic controller A multipolar low-voltage molded case circuit breaker can include unipolar switching modules, which interact with the tripping set and/or the current measurer and power supply set.