A circuit (10) for controlling operation of a load (16). In one example, a MEMS switch (20) is positioned in the circuit(10) to place the load (16) in one of a conducting state or a nonconducting state. A piezoelectric transformer (46) provides a relatively high voltage output signal or a relatively low voltage output signal to control movement of the switch (20) between a closed position, placing the load in the conducting state, and an open position. The high voltage output signal includes a frequency component in the resonant frequency range of the transformer (46). Control circuitry (65) provides an input voltage signal to the piezoelectric transformer (46) to provide the high voltage output signal or the low voltage output signal at the output terminals of the piezoelectric transformer (46).

A system (10) is presented. The system (10) includes detection circuitry (14) configured to detect occurrence of a zero crossing of an alternating source voltage (36) or an alternating load current (42). The system also includes switching circuitry (12) coupled to the detection circuitry (14) and comprising a micro-electromechanical system switch (20). Additionally, the system (10) includes control circuitry (16) coupled to the detection circuitry (14) and the switching circuitry (12) and configured to perform arc-less switching of the micro-electromechanical system switch (20) responsive to a detected zero crossing of an alternating source voltage (36) or alternating load current (42).

A current control device (10) is disclosed. The current control device (10) includes control circuitry (72) integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch pair (21) disposed in the current path. The current control device (10) further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit (14) connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch pair (21) facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch pair (21).

A circuit (200) for servicing a load (205) connectable with a power supply (210) is disclosed. The circuit (200) includes a plurality of three-terminal switches (215) and one control supply (252). The three-terminal switches (215) define a series conduction path (250) connectable between the power supply (210) and the load (205). Each of the plurality of three-terminal switches (215) includes a source terminal (235), a drain terminal (240), and a gate terminal (245). The control supply (252) is productive of a control voltage and in power connection between the gate terminal (245) and source terminal (235) of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches (215). Each of the plurality of three-terminal switches (215) is responsive to the control voltage at its respective gate terminal (245) to close a connection (255) between the respective source terminal (235) and respective drain terminal (240) of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches (215).

MEMS-based switching module (e.g., 12, 100), as may be electrically connected to other such modules (14, 16) in a series circuit, to achieve a desired voltage rating is provided. A switching array (10) may be made up of a plurality of such switching modules (e.g., used as building blocks of the switching array) with circuitry (100, 106, 108, 110) configured so that any number of modules can be connected in series to achieve the desired voltage rating (e.g., voltage scalability).

A motor starter (200) is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry (202). The system may further include solid state switching circuitry (204) coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller (208) coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

An electrical distribution system (40) includes at least one circuit breaker device having an electrical interruption system provided with an electrical pathway, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device electrically coupled in the electrical pathway, at least one hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) connection, and at least one control connection. A HALT circuit (190) member is electrically coupled to HALT connection on the circuit breaker device and a controller is electrically coupled to the control connection on the circuit breaker device. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively connect the HALT circuit (190) member and the at least one circuit breaker device via the HALT connection to control electrical current flow through the at least one circuit breaker device.

An electrical switching device is presented. The electrical switching device includes multiple switch sets coupled in series. Each of the switch sets includes multiple switches coupled in parallel. A control circuit is coupled to the multiple switch sets and configured to control opening and closing of the switches. One or more intermediate diodes are coupled between the control circuit and each point between a respective pair of switch sets.