Overvoltage Notching of Electrical Swells

An apparatus to protect an electrical load connected to output terminals thereof from anomalous electricity conditions, the apparatus comprising:

• a switching mechanism configured to transition into one of conducting and non-conducting states in response to respective on and off states of a switching driving signal provided thereto;
• and
• a condition sensing unit to indicate an overvoltage event in response to a peak voltage of input electricity provided by the electricity source meeting a voltage swell threshold condition;
• a power control unit configured to generate a modulation signal in response to the overvoltage event to coordinate the state transitions of the switching mechanism with arrival of the voltage peak thereat;
• and
• a switch controlling unit to generate the switch driving signal and compel the state transitions of the switching mechanism thereby such that the peak voltage is decreased by an amplitude notch superimposed on output electricity provided to the electrical load.

A power control method comprising:

• protecting an electrical load connected to an output port thereof from anomalous electricity accepted through an input port thereof from an electricity supply, the apparatus comprising:
• distinguishing a power event type from among a plurality of power event types from characteristics of an input electricity waveform accepted through an input port connected to an electricity supply, an overvoltage event of the power event type occurring when a corresponding overvoltage criterion is met by the characteristics of the input electricity waveform;
• generating, responsive to the overvoltage event, a modulation signal that defines at least one amplitude notch in the input electricity waveform in accordance with the power event type;
• and
• compelling a switching mechanism electrically interposed between the input port and an output port connected to an electrical load to transition into conducting and non-conducting states in accordance with the modulation signal to superimpose thereby the notch on the input electricity waveform.