Device for temporarily taking over electrical current from an energy transfer or distribution device, when needed

Abstract

A device () for the on-demand commutation of an electrical current from a first line branch () to another, second line branch () is created, which has a number of power semiconductor switching elements (), which are arranged in series and/or parallel to one another in the second line branch (), and a control unit () for controlling the number of power semiconductor switching elements (). The control unit () is adapted to apply to each of the number of power semiconductor switching elements () an increased control voltage (VGE) whose level is above the maximum permissible control voltage specified for continuous operation, in order to switch on or maintain the conduction of the number of power semiconductor switching elements and to cause an increased current flow through it, whose current rating is at least double the nominal operating current. The control unit () is further adapted to switch off the number of power semiconductor switching elements after a respectively provided short switch-on duration by switching off the control voltage (VGE) again while they conduct an increased current flow. The device () can thus be designed for a higher power in operation, or, at a given operating power, the semiconductor area and size of the device () can be reduced.