Power switching arrangement
AssigneeADC Telecommunications, Inc.
InventorJoseph C. Coffey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit protection system for a power panel is disclosed. The circuit protection system includes a transistor connected in a channel of a power panel, the transistor connected between return connections of a load and a return path, and the power panel including a plurality of channels connected to the load. The circuit protection system also includes control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.
Claims24
1-23. (canceled)
A circuit protection system for a power panel, the system comprising:
- a transistor connected in a channel of a power panel, the transistor connected between return connections of a load and a return path, the power panel including a plurality of channels connected to the load;
- and
- control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.
A power panel useable in a power distribution system, the power panel comprising:
- a plurality of channels, each channel including a supply path and a return path, the return path electrically connectable through the power panel to return connections of a load;
- and
- a circuit protection system associated with one of the plurality of channels, the circuit protection system including:
- a transistor connected between the return connections and the return path;
- control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.
A method of providing circuit protection in a power distribution panel, the method comprising:
- sensing a voltage above a threshold across a transistor connected between a return path and return connections configured to receive connections to a load;
- and
- upon sensing the voltage above a threshold across the transistor, activating the transistor with control circuitry connected in parallel with the transistor.
A power panel comprising:
- a chassis including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and two sides;
- a plurality of power input connections on the chassis, each power input connection including a source input connection and a return input connection;
- a plurality of power output connections on the chassis, each of the power output connections including a source output connection and a return output connection, and each of the power output connections connected to a power input connection through the chassis;
- and
- a protection circuit connected between at least one of the power output connections and a power input connection, the protection circuit including:
- a transistor connected between the return output connection and the return input connection;
- and
- control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.