Patent ID: 8649145

Claim:
A circuit arrangement for limiting a voltage in compliance with one or more regulations for explosion-proof areas comprising: a two-pole energy input having first and second input terminals; a two-pole energy output having a first output terminal and a second output terminal that is connected to the second input terminal; a first controlled switching device arranged in connection between the first input terminal and the first output terminal and having a control input, the first controlled switching device adapted to be closed when a voltage difference between the first and second output terminals is within a permissible range and to open when the voltage difference between the first and second output terminals exceeds the permissible range; a second controlled switching device arranged in connection between the first output terminal and the second output terminal and having a control input, the second controlled switching device adapted to be open when the voltage difference between the first and second output terminals is within the permissible range and to close when a signal is present at the control input thereof; and a time-delay circuit, the output of which is connected to the control input of the second controlled switching device and the input of which is directly connected to the control input of the first controlled switching device, wherein the time-delay circuit is configured to activate the output thereof and cause the second controlled switching device to close after a predetermined time has passed from when the voltage difference between the first and second output terminals exceeds the permissible range and after the first controlled switching device has opened.