Electronic power switching unit

摘要

An electronic power control unit 1 has power input and power output terminals; a programmable control circuit 5 determining load current, load voltage and sensors 7, 8 for and temperature and acceleration of the unit. A switching circuit 3 is connected between the input and output terminals and the programmable control circuit is programmable to operate the switching circuit to disconnect the input terminal from the output terminal in response to predetermined signals or combinations of signals from the sensors. The control unit may include a microcontroller in which the programmable control circuit is incorporated. The current sensing means and the switching circuit may be incorporated in a single integrated circuit component. An additional input port 2 may be connected to the programmable controller to which an external sensor may be connected. The control unit may have a configuration port 25 connectable to an external device to enable programming of the reprogrammable control circuit. The unit may be used in vehicles.