Battery spark suppression circuit

A circuit for suppressing arcing upon connection or disconnection of a load to a direct current source, comprising:

• a silicon controlled rectifier, having first and second terminals and a control input, for permitting current to flow in a forward direction between said terminals in response to a signal applied to said control input, said rectifier being connected to cease conducting on interruption of said forward current;
• and automatic electronic control means connected across said terminals, and responsive to forward voltage applied across said terminals for applying a triggering signal to said control input a selected time after said voltage is applied;
• whereby when said first terminal is connected to a first pole of the current source, and the load is connected between said second terminal and a second pole of the current source, a voltage is applied across said terminals causing said control means to apply a triggering signal to said control input, thereby permitting current to flow through said controlled rectifier, and when said current is interrupted, said controlled rectifier ceases to conduct said current.