Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Alex Gomes

Joshua C Swenson

Robert L Seagren

A system includes a solid state power controller (SSPC) including a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel. A gate driver is operatively connected to control the plurality switching devices together so all of the switching devices in the plurality of switching devices either close to pass current through the SSPC, or open to prevent current passing through the SSPC in a normal operation mode. A fail open test circuit is operatively connected to individually control a respective gate of each of the switching devices in the plurality of switching devices for testing the plurality of switching devices individually for a fail OPEN condition.

Fail open detection

A high voltage contact control system includes main contacts on positive and negative feeder lines and a short circuit protection system configured between the positive feeder line and the negative feeder line. The short circuit protection system is configured to be operably connected between the positive and negative feeder lines and configured to selectively provide a bypass path between the positive feeder line and the negative feeder line to divert current away from the first and second contacts. The short circuit protection system includes first and second state arc prevention elements that can operate in at least two modes. The bypass path is established by having one of the arc prevention elements in a fully on mode and another either fully on or in a linear mode.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Alex Gomes