Hybrid fault protection circuits for high-power cyclical loads

A method of operating a hybrid fault protection circuit, the method comprising:

• arming the hybrid fault protection circuit, wherein the hybrid fault protection circuit comprises an electrically-controlled safety switching device connected in parallel with a resistor-fuse circuit, the electrically-controlled safety switching device comprising a coil and contacts, the resistor-fuse circuit comprising one or more resistors collectively connected in series with one or more fuses, and the arming of the hybrid fault protection circuit including energizing the coil to close the contacts and supply load current through the contacts to one or more high-power cyclical loads;
• detecting at least one parameter of the hybrid fault protection circuit;
• comparing the at least one parameter to at least one threshold to detect a fault downstream from the hybrid fault protection circuit;
• and
• in response to detecting the fault, opening the contacts of the electrically-controlled safety switching device to cause fault current to pass through the one or more fuses and not across the contacts.