Patent ID: 7443054

Claim:
In a network having at least two Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) with at least one electrical connection between the at least two IEDs in the network, a circuit for providing power from an external source to internal components of an associated IED of the at least two IEDs and providing electrical isolation of the internal components, said circuit comprising: a power input connection for receiving power from the external source at a received voltage with respect to ground; a first DC to DC converter for converting the power from the received voltage to an intermediate voltage and providing a first level of isolation to the internal components of the IED; a second DC to DC converter for receiving power from the first DC to DC converter at the intermediate voltage and converting the power from the intermediate voltage to an internal voltage to be used by the internal components of the associated IED, and, providing a second level of electrical isolation to the internal components of the IED; and a port isolation circuit at the at least one electrical connection between the at least two IEDs providing a third level of isolation between the internal components of the at least two IEDs.