Apparatus and methods for input protection for power converters

摘要

Systems and methods in accordance with this invention provide a power converter including an input signal terminal, a first output signal at a first output signal terminal, and a controller. The controller is adapted to switch the first output signal from a first value to a second value, measure a voltage at the input signal terminal as a function of time, set a flag to a first flag value if the measured voltage falls below a predetermined value within a first predetermined time interval after the first output signal has been switched from the first value to the second value, otherwise set the flag to a second flag value, and save the flag in a memory. Numerous other aspects are also provided.

主权项

1. A power converter comprising:
an input signal terminal; a first output signal at a first output signal terminal; a first circuit breaker having an output terminal coupled to the input signal terminal and a control input terminal coupled to the first output signal terminal; and a controller including an input protection test process performing an input protection test, wherein, for the input protection test process, the controller is adapted to:
switch the first output signal from a first value to a second value;measure a voltage at the input signal terminal as a function of time;set a flag to a first flag value if the measured voltage falls below a predetermined value within a first predetermined time interval after the first output signal has been switched from the first value to the second value;set the flag to a second flag value if the measured voltage does not fall below the predetermined value within the first predetermined time interval after the first output signal has been switched from the first value to the second value; andsave the flag in a memory,display a message indicating that the input protection test has passed when the flag is set to the first flag value, and permit the power converter to run based on a passed input protection test, anddisplay a message indicating that the input protection test has failed when the flag is set to the second flag value, and prevent the power converter from running based on a failed input protection test, wherein the controller further includes a drive fault function, the drive fault function performing the input protection test process and, when the input protection process test has failed, the controller is adapted to:
cause a second circuit breaker to open to disconnect power to the first circuit breaker and the power converter.