Power switching arrangement

A power panel useable in a power distribution system, the power panel comprising:

• a plurality of channels, each channel including a supply path and a return path, the return path electrically connectable through the power panel to return connections of a load;
• and
• a circuit protection system associated with one of the plurality of channels, the circuit protection system including:
• a plurality of transistors connected between the return connections and the return path;
• control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the plurality of transistors, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the plurality of transistors to allow current to pass through each transistor based on an observed voltage across the plurality of transistors when the channel is active but block current through each of the plurality of transistors when the channel is inactive.

A method of providing circuit protection in a power distribution panel, the method comprising:

• sensing a voltage above a threshold across a plurality of transistors connected between a return path and return connections included in a channel of a power panel, the return path and return connections configured to receive connections to a load;
• and
• upon sensing the voltage above a threshold when the channel is active, activating each of the plurality of transistors with control circuitry connected in parallel with the plurality of transistors;
• and
• otherwise deactivating each of the plurality of transistors, thereby blocking current through each of the plurality of transistors when the channel is inactive.

A power panel comprising:

• a chassis including a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and two sides;
• a plurality of power input connections on the chassis, each power input connection including a source input connection and a return input connection;
• a plurality of power output connections on the chassis, each of the power output connections including a source output connection and a return output connection, and each of the power output connections connected to a power input connection through the chassis;
• and
• a protection circuit connected between at least one of the power output connections and a power input connection, the protection circuit including:
• a plurality of transistors connected between the return output connection and the return input connection;
• and
• control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with each transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the plurality of transistors to allow current to pass through each transistor based on an observed voltage across the plurality of transistors when the channel is active but block current through each of the plurality of transistors when the channel is inactive.