Patent ID: 8390968

Claim:
A circuit configuration, comprising: a series circuit of a plurality of submodules each having a power semiconductor circuit and an energy storage device connected in parallel with said power semiconductor circuit; each said submodule having a vacuum interrupter tube associated therewith, said vacuum interrupter tube forming a short-circuiting device for short-circuiting the respective said submodule; a tripping and latching unit for latching said vacuum interrupter tube in a disconnected position with a latch and for removing said latch; and said vacuum interrupter tube being configured to be moved, without a drive, from a disconnected position into a connected position, in which the respective said submodule is short-circuited, when said latch is removed, whereupon said vacuum interrupter tube is moved from the disconnected position into the connected position substantially only as a result of a pressure difference between an interior of said vacuum interrupter tube and an exterior atmosphere.