Leoni Bordnetz-systeme Gmbh

Joachim Neubert

Bernd Schneider

Bernhard Schraud

Marcus Dellit

Christoph Kirsch

A switching apparatus electrically connects an electrical load to an energy source and contains a main current path which has a switching unit with a circuit breaker, via which the electrical load is connected to the energy source in a supply mode. An auxiliary current path is connected in parallel with the main current path and in which a first switch is arranged. A disconnection mode is performed in which the circuit breaker is open and the electrical load is connected only to the auxiliary current path to reduce electrical energy stored inside the electrical load. A diagnostic mode is also provided, in which the switching unit is open and the electrical load is connected to the energy source only via the auxiliary current path to supply the electrical load. A control unit for activating the diagnostic mode is also provided.

Switching apparatus and method for operating a switching apparatus

A cable network and a method for protecting the cable network against a serial arc are disclosed. In particular, a 42 V vehicle network for a motor vehicle is contemplated. The cable network includes a supply line connecting a voltage source and a load. The supply line includes two cable runs that are connected in parallel. Each of the cable runs contains a fuse therein. In the event of a cable defect in one (first) of the cable runs, all of the current flows via the other (second) cable run. This prevents an arc from being formed at the cable interruption in the first cable run. The fuses are preferably in the form of electronic components, which positively disconnect one another as soon as one component is activated due to a fault.

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Wuerzburg, Germany

Joachim Neubert