Micro-electromechanical system based arc-less switching with circuity for absorbing electrical energy during a fault condition

摘要

A system is presented that includes a micro-electromechanical system switch (20). Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge (28) configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit (52) is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry (200) is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.