Patent ID: 8432212

Claim:
A switching element comprising: (a) a first switch; (b) a second switch, wherein the second switch is an electromechanical switch connected electrically in parallel with the first switch; and (c) a controller, wherein (i) the controller is operatively connected to the first switch and the second switch, (ii) the controller is operable for turning on the first switch at a first voltage, (iii) the controller is operable for turning on the second switch at a second voltage after a first time delay such that the second switch is turned on after the first switch is turned on by the controller, (iv) the second voltage is less than the first voltage, (v) the controller is operable for turning off the first switch after a second time delay such that the first switch is turned off after the second switch is turned on by the controller, and (vi) the controller is operable for turning off the second switch after a third time delay such that the second switch is turned off after the first switch is turned off by the controller.