Patent ID: 8089303

Claim:
A high-voltage solid-state switch connected in series with a load to be protected, comprising: at least two electric switching means connected in parallel, the at least two electric switching means of different technologies, measuring means for measuring an electric voltage at the terminals of the at least two electric switching means, and a main current flowing in the load, and control means connected to the measuring means for delivering a control signal for causing one of the at least two electric switching means to open or close according to the value of a main current flowing in the load, wherein the control means is connected to a first electric switching means among the at least two electric switching means so that the state of conduction of said first electric switching means depends both on a regulated control current and on a control voltage corresponding to the control signal delivered by said control means, wherein the first electric switching means comprises a first transistor connected in series with a second transistor, wherein the first transistor comprises a bipolar transistor, and the second transistor comprises a field effect transistor, and the emitter of the first transistor is connected to the drain of the second transistor, and the control means is connected to the base of the first transistor to deliver a regulated control current thereto, and to the gate of the second transistor to deliver the control voltage thereto.