Current control apparatus and method based on micro-electromechanical systems switch

A system comprising a main circuit configured to electrically couple a plurality of modular circuits inserted into respective coupling slots, the system comprising:

• a switching device configured to switch current flow between a modular circuit of the plurality of modular circuits and the main circuit in a powered state during insertion or removal of the modular circuit;
• a power source powering the main circuit in the powered state and further powering the modular circuit when electrically coupled to the main circuit;
• wherein the switching device comprises:
• a first terminal to electrically connect to the main circuit,
• a second terminal to electrically connect to a load of the modular circuit, and
• a current sense device and a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch module electrically connected in series to each other and between the first terminal and the second terminal, the MEMS switch module configured to switch current flow therethrough based on a detected level of current flow through the current sense device.

A method of controlling current flow between a modular circuit and a main circuit, method comprising:

• providing power to a system comprising the main circuit and a plurality of coupling slots for electrically coupling the main circuit and a plurality of modular circuits inserted into the coupling slots;
• inserting a modular circuit into one of the coupling slots or removing a modular circuit from one of the coupling slots;
• and
• switching current flow between the main circuit and the modular circuit being inserted into or removed from the one of the coupling slots using a switching device comprising a current sense device and a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch module electrically connected in series to each other.