Method and circuit for enabling a direct current source to power a load circuit designed for alternating current input

Abstract

A circuit and method are disclosed enabling a direct current (DC) power source to power a load circuit designed for alternating current (AC) input. The circuit is arranged to be connected between a DC power source and a load circuit in which the load circuit includes an electric load and a switch with a mechanical contact in series with the load. The circuit comprises a contact opening detector arranged to detect an opening event of the switch contact and a damping component arranged to be triggered in response to the contact opening detector detecting a contact opening event. The triggered damping component causes a momentary lowering of a load circuit input voltage, such that the momentary lowering of the load circuit input voltage prevents the sustaining of an electric arc across the opened switch contact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.