Methods and apparatus for DC arc detection/suppression

A method for detecting and suppressing DC electric arcs at a component that connects an electric power source to a load and that is configured to be actuable between an open position that impedes flow of electricity and a closed position that enables flow of electricity, the method comprising:

• electrically connecting an input terminal to a power source side of the component;
• electrically connecting an output terminal to a load side of the component;
• electrically connecting a detector circuit to the input and output terminals so as to be electrically connected in parallel to the component, the detector circuit being configured to detect a significant voltage spike across the component upon the component actuating between open and closed positions, the detector circuit also being configured to transmit a control signal upon detecting the significant voltage spike, the detector circuit including multiple circuit elements including a diode and a Zener diode, enabling both the detection of the significant voltage spike and the transmission of the control signal, that are directly electrically connected to each other, wherein the Zener diode is directly electrically connected to the diode;
• and
• conducting electricity from the power source side of the component to the load side of the component upon a switching circuit receiving the control signal, wherein
• the detector circuit includes a capacitor that is directly electrically connected to the input terminal, and a resistor that is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at a side opposite from the input terminal, the resistor also being directly electrically connected to the output terminal, and
• the diode is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at the side opposite from the input terminal.

An apparatus for detecting and suppressing DC electric arcs at a component that connects an electric power source to a load and that is configured to be actuable between an open position that impedes flow of electricity and a closed position that enables flow of electricity, the apparatus comprising:

• an input terminal electrically connected to a power source side of the component;
• an output terminal electrically connected to a load side of the component;
• means for detecting electrically connected to the input and output terminals so as to be electrically connected in parallel to the component, the means for detecting being configured to detect a significant voltage spike across the component upon the component actuating between open and closed positions, the means for detecting also being configured to transmit a control signal upon detecting the significant voltage spike, the means for detecting including multiple circuit elements, enabling both the detection of the significant voltage spike and the transmission of the control signal, that are directly electrically connected to each other, the circuit elements include a capacitor that is directly electrically connected to the input terminal, and a diode directly electrically connected to the capacitor at the side opposite from the input terminal, the diode directly connected to a Zener diode;
• and
• means for conducting electricity from the power source side of the component to the load side of the component upon receipt of the control signal, wherein
• the capacitor is directly electrically connected to the input terminal, and a resistor is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at a side opposite from the input terminal, the resistor also being directly electrically connected to the output terminal, and
• the diode is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at the side opposite from the input terminal.

An apparatus for detecting and suppressing DC electric arcs at a component that connects an electric power source to a load and that is configured to be actuatable between an open position that impedes flow of electricity and a closed position that enables flow of electricity, the apparatus comprising:

• an input terminal electrically connected to a power source side of the component;
• an output terminal electrically connected to a load side of the component;
• a detector circuit electrically connected to the input and output terminals so as to be electrically connected in parallel to the component, the detector circuit being configured to detect a significant voltage spike across the component upon the component actuating between open and closed positions, the detector circuit also being configured to transmit a control signal upon detecting the significant voltage spike, the detector circuit including multiple circuit elements, enabling both the detection of the significant voltage spike and the transmission of the control signal, that are directly electrically connected to each other;
• and
• a switching circuit that includes a switching element having a gate, the switching circuit configured to conduct electricity from the power source side of the component to the load side of the component upon receipt of the control signal, wherein
• the detector circuit includes a Zener diode, and the Zener diode is directly electrically connected to the gate of the switching element,
• the detector circuit includes a capacitor that is directly electrically connected to the input terminal, and a resistor that is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at a side opposite from the input terminal, the resistor also being directly electrically connected to the output terminal, and
• the detector circuit includes a diode that is directly electrically connected to the capacitor at the side opposite from the input terminal.