Power controller having overvoltage protection

摘要

A power controller system arranged to electrically supply a load via a circuit comprises a switching device 30 provided in an electrical pathway 31 for supplying current to a load 20. A controller 50 is arranged to open the switching device when a current through or voltage across the switching device exceeds a predetermined level. An electrical pathway 60 is provided in parallel to the load 20 to enable load current to continue to flow through the parallel electrical pathway and the load when the switching device is opened, to dissipate inductive energy stored in the circuit connecting the parallel electrical pathway to the load. The parallel electrical pathway enables current to continue to be supplied to the load even during a fault transient scenario such as a lightning strike when the switching device is opened.