Hybrid switching device

Abstract

A hybrid switch device for electrically coupling a power source to a load in a system may include a first switch at a first branch connected in parallel to a second switch at a second branch. The second switch may be coupled in parallel to a circuit protection device. The hybrid switch device may also include a third switch at the second branch and coupled in parallel to a circuit protection device. The circuit protection devices may prevent overvoltage during switching transients. The first switch may be a different type of switch than the second and third switches. A control circuit may be coupled to each of the switches and configured to selectively control, in response to an overload or fault event, the hybrid switch device to cause current to flow through the second branch from the first branch to extend a current-time conduction capability of the first switch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.