Patent ID: 7405910

Claim:
A hybrid solid-state switchgear for accommodating power transmission or distribution, circuit breaking or fault current limiting in a power transmission or distribution system, and for carrying an electric current through the switchgear, wherein the power transmission or distribution system is electrically connected to a source bus, the source bus being connected to a power source through the hybrid solid-state switchgear comprising: a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch adapted to be connected to a voltage source, wherein the solid-state switch is connected in parallel with the mechanical switch; a means for receiving information for monitoring for a fault current condition across the mechanical switch and the solid-state switch; wherein the solid-state switch includes a diode bridge having a bidirectional switch disposed therein; wherein the bidirectional switch is capable of protecting against the fault current condition; and, wherein upon detecting a fault current, the current is transferred to the solid-state switch for fault current limiting operations, wherein the solid-state switch is controlled by pulse width modulation.