Precision measurement of voltage drop across a semiconductor switching element

Abstract

An apparatus provides precision measurement of voltage drop across a semiconductor switching element of a subsea device. The apparatus includes (a) a first circuit path having a first protective element, a first impedance element and a voltage source, wherein the first circuit path is configured to be connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the semiconductor switching element, (b) a second circuit path formed between a first output terminal and a second output terminal, the second circuit path having a second protective element and a second impedance element, wherein the second protective element is identical to the first protective element, and wherein the second impedance element is identical to the first impedance element, and (c) a regulating circuit configured to regulating the current in the second circuit path such that said current in the second circuit path is equal to the current in the first circuit path, wherein the voltage drop between the first terminal and the second terminal of the semiconductor switching element equals the difference between the voltage provided by the voltage source and the voltage drop between the first output terminal and the second output terminal.