Patent ID: 6140715
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: H01H,H03K

Abstract:
An electric switching device comprisinga first electric switch;a second electric switch connected in parallel with said first electric switch, said second electric switch including:an irradiation source; anda switching element comprising a plurality of rectifying means connected in series;wherein:said rectifying means are adapted to be reverse-biased to assume an electrically insulating state when not irradiated by said irradiation source, and when irradiated by said irradiation source, conducting to create an electrical current path which bypasses said first electric switch;at least two of said plurality of rectifying means are connected to be biased in opposite directions, so that at least one is forward-biased when another is reverse-biased; andsaid plurality of rectifying means is formed by a plurality of pin-diodes formed by an intermediate intrinsic bulk layer and islands of p-doped layers arranged on one side of said intermediate layer, and islands of n-doped layers located on the opposite side of the intermediate layer and substantially covering the space between the two adjacent p-type layers, for forming a cascade of pin-diodes forming a continuous current path running alternatingly from one p-type layer to a n-type layer and from said n-type layer to another p-type layer, whereby said at least two oppositely-biased diodes are implemented.