# US 2014/0192448 A1 · Power switching arrangement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192448 A1 - Document ID: US20140192448A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/048,792 - Filed: 2013-10-08 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-09 - Assignees: ADC Telecommunications, Inc. - Applicants: ADC Telecommunications, Inc. - Inventors: Joseph C. Coffey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192448A1 ## CPC - H02H 7/22: for distribution gear, e.g. bus-bar systems; for switching devices {(detecting mechanical or electrical defects in gas-insulated switchgears H02B13/065)} - H02H 9/004: {in connection with live-insertion of plug-in units (involving communication with a central processing unit G06F13/40)} - H05K 7/1457: {Power distribution arrangements} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-23. (canceled) ### Claim 24 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The circuit protection system of claim 24, further comprising a plurality of transistors connected in parallel between the return connections and the return path. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The circuit protection system of claim 24, wherein the transistor is a MOSFET transistor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The circuit protection system of claim 26, wherein the MOSFET transistor is an enhanced MOSFET transistor. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The circuit protection system of claim 24, wherein the transistor includes a body diode. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The circuit protection system of claim 28, wherein the body diode has a forward voltage of at least approximately 0.45 V. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The circuit protection system of claim 24, wherein the control circuitry includes a control signal connected to a gate of the transistor. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The circuit protection system of claim 30, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the gate during use of the channel by the load. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The circuit protection system of claim 30, wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the gate upon detecting a reverse battery condition in the channel. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The circuit protection system of claim 30, wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the gate upon detecting a negative voltage condition in the channel. ### Claim 34 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. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The power panel of claim 34, further comprising a plurality of circuit protection systems, each circuit protection system associated with a different one of the plurality of channels. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The power panel of claim 34, wherein each circuit protection system includes a plurality of transistors connected in parallel between the return connections and the return path. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The power panel of claim 34, wherein the control circuitry has a control signal connected to a gate of the transistor. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The power panel of claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is configured to activate the gate during use of the channel by the load. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The power panel of claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the gate upon detecting a reverse battery condition in the channel. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The power panel of claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is configured to deactivate the gate upon detecting a negative voltage condition in the channel. ### Claim 41 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. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, further comprising: sensing a voltage below a threshold across the transistor; and upon sensing the voltage below a threshold across the transistor, deactivating the transistor with the control circuitry. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41, further comprising: sensing a reverse battery condition with the control circuitry; and upon sensing the reverse battery condition, deactivating the transistor with the control circuitry. ### Claim 44 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. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The power panel of claim 44, wherein the plurality of power input connections are located on the front of the chassis. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The power panel of claim 44, wherein the plurality of power output connections are located on modules mounted in the chassis.