Electronic switch as a damping element

An electronic switch for connecting two sub-networks of a power supply system, the electronic switch comprising:

• a semiconductor switch constructed to carry and disconnect a current in two directions,
• a current sensor for detecting a current flowing through the electronic switch or a voltage sensor,
• an actuation circuit connected to the semiconductor switch and configured to operate the semiconductor switch, depending on oscillations measured by the current sensor and/or by the voltage sensor, in an activated state, in a deactivated state or in a linear mode, wherein the actuation circuit is further designed as a damping resistor to damp oscillations when operating in the linear mode.

A method for operating an electronic switch configured to connect two sub-networks of a power supply system or for operating a power supply system employing the electronic switch, wherein the electronic switch comprises a semiconductor switch constructed to carry and disconnect a current in two directions, a current sensor for detecting a current flowing through the electronic switch or a voltage sensor, an actuation circuit connected to the semiconductor switch and configured to operate the semiconductor switch in an activated state, in a deactivated state or in a linear mode,

• the method comprising:
• operating the semiconductor switch at least temporarily in the linear mode to damp oscillations, and
• operating the semiconductor switch in the linear mode when the current sensor or the voltage sensor identifies an oscillation having an amplitude that exceeds a predefined limit value.