A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter includes providing a plurality of switching devices of the power converter in one of a neutral point clamped topology or an active neutral point clamped topology. The method also includes providing a plurality of deadtimes for the switching devices. Further, the method includes selecting one of the deadtimes for each of the switching devices such that at least two of the switching devices operate according to different deadtimes. Moreover, the method includes operating the switching devices at the selected deadtimes to allow a first group of the switching devices to switch slower than a second group of the switching devices such that the first group of the switching devices satisfy safe operating requirements while the second group of the switching devices switch faster than the first group.

A bi-directional switch for an inductive machine is described. The bi-directional switch may include a first power semiconductor transistor with a first source, a first drain, and a first gate. The bi-directional switch may further include a second power semiconductor transistor with a second source, a second drain, and a second gate. The bi-directional switch may include the second source connected to the first source. The bi-directional switch may include a soft-starter device including a control circuit configurable to provide a first control signal to the first power semiconductor transistor and a second control signal to the second power semiconductor transistor.

A bi-directional switch for an inductive machine is described. The bi-directional switch may include a first power semiconductor transistor with a first source, a first drain, and a first gate. The bi-directional switch may further include a second power semiconductor transistor with a second source, a second drain, and a second gate. The bi-directional switch may include the second source connected to the first source. The bi-directional switch may include a soft-starter device including a control circuit configurable to provide a first control signal to the first power semiconductor transistor and a second control signal to the second power semiconductor transistor.

A direct current (DC) power secondary distribution system is provided. The system comprises at least one first conversion unit and a one or more second conversion units. The first conversion unit receives alternating current (AC) electrical voltage from a distribution transformer of an AC power distribution system and converts the AC electrical voltage to DC electrical voltage output. The one or more second conversion units are connected downstream of the first conversion unit, and each second conversion unit converts the DC electrical voltage output from the first conversion unit to a respective AC electrical voltage output for a respective one or more loads. The one or more loads may be associated with a household.

A direct current (DC) power secondary distribution system is provided. The system comprises at least one first conversion unit and a one or more second conversion units. The first conversion unit receives alternating current (AC) electrical voltage from a distribution transformer of an AC power distribution system and converts the AC electrical voltage to DC electrical voltage output. The one or more second conversion units are connected downstream of the first conversion unit, and each second conversion unit converts the DC electrical voltage output from the first conversion unit to a respective AC electrical voltage output for a respective one or more loads. The one or more loads may be associated with a household.

A gateway system for a building comprises: a first relay to couple a first line of the gateway system to a first grid line of a power grid; a second relay to couple a second line of the gateway system to a second grid line of the power grid; a neutral line coupled to a neutral grid line of the power grid; a first electric-vehicle (EV) line coupled to the first line of the gateway system, the first EV line configured for being coupled to a first line of an EV charging connector; a second EV line coupled to the second line of the gateway system, the second EV line configured for being coupled to a second line of the EV charging connector, wherein the EV charging connector has no neutral line; and a balancing converter coupled to the first and second lines of the gateway system.

An arrangement provides an AC current to a load for direct electrical heating. The arrangement includes a AC-DC-AC converter cell. The converter cell has at least two converter input terminals connected to at least two transformer output terminals. The converter cell has a first converter output terminal and a second converter output terminal, wherein the first converter cell output terminal is adapted to be connected to the load.

An arrangement provides an AC current to a load for direct electrical heating. The arrangement includes a AC-DC-AC converter cell. The converter cell has at least two converter input terminals connected to at least two transformer output terminals. The converter cell has a first converter output terminal and a second converter output terminal, wherein the first converter cell output terminal is adapted to be connected to the load.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided that includes a split direct current (DC) link having a first capacitor coupled between a positive DC link terminal and a first node, and a second capacitor coupled between the first node and a negative DC link terminal. The UPS also includes a rectifier coupled to an input of the split DC link and a controller coupled to the rectifier. The rectifier includes first, second, and third legs, wherein each leg is configured to convert a first alternating current (AC) voltage received from an AC source into a DC voltage to be provided to the split DC link, and a fourth leg configured to balance DC link voltages of the first and second capacitors. The controller is configured to maintain functionality of the rectifier during at least one of a partial utility power outage, a full utility outage, and a failure of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth legs.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided that includes a split direct current (DC) link having a first capacitor coupled between a positive DC link terminal and a first node, and a second capacitor coupled between the first node and a negative DC link terminal. The UPS also includes a rectifier coupled to an input of the split DC link and a controller coupled to the rectifier. The rectifier includes first, second, and third legs, wherein each leg is configured to convert a first alternating current (AC) voltage received from an AC source into a DC voltage to be provided to the split DC link, and a fourth leg configured to balance DC link voltages of the first and second capacitors. The controller is configured to maintain functionality of the rectifier during at least one of a partial utility power outage, a full utility outage, and a failure of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth legs.