Combination control system with intermediate module

An intermediate module for use in controlling first and second electrical power isolation systems, the intermediate module comprising:

• at least one first terminal configured to receive at least one input signal and to send at least one output signal;
• at least one second terminal configured for communications with the first and second electrical power isolation systems, wherein the at least one second terminal is configured to provide control signals for receipt by the first and second electrical power isolation systems and to receive feedback signals from each of the first and second electrical power isolation systems indicative of whether the first and second electrical power isolation systems have entered an isolated state in response to the control signals;
• and
• means for processing the at least one input signal to generate the control signals, and further processing the feedback signals to generate the at least one output signal, wherein the means for processing includes at least one redundant component that enhances reliability of the intermediate module, and wherein the at least one output signal is indicative of whether both of the first and second electrical power isolation systems have attained the isolated state.

An apparatus for coordinating operations of a plurality of electrical power isolation systems, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one first port that receives at least one command signal and also provides at least one first feedback signal;
• a plurality of second ports that respectively provide a plurality of related signals to the plurality of electrical power isolation systems and receive a plurality of second feedback signals from the plurality of power isolation systems;
• at least one internal circuit component coupled to the first port and the plurality of second ports,
• wherein, due at least in part to the at least one internal circuit component, the first feedback signal indicates whether both of the electrical power isolation systems have attained the isolated state in response to the related signals.

A method of implementing a safety isolation system having first and second electrical isolation systems, the method comprising:

• providing an intermediate module that is coupled to each of first and second electrical power isolation systems and also coupled to an external device;
• receiving a first signal at the intermediate module from the external device requesting that each of the first and second electrical power isolations systems proceed to an isolated state;
• providing respective second signals based at least in pan upon the first signal to each of the first and second electrical power isolation systems from the intermediate module;
• receiving respective third signals from the first and second electrical power isolation systems, respectively, wherein each of the third signals is indicative of whether the respective electrical power isolation system has attained an isolated state;
• and
• sending a fourth signal tat is based upon the third signals from both of the first and second electrical power isolation systems and indicative of whether both of the first and second power isolation systems have attained the isolated state.