Patent ID: 8742828

Claim:
A disconnecting apparatus for direct current interruption between a direct current source and an electrical device, comprising: a current-conducting mechanical switching contact connected between the direct current source and the electrical device; semiconductor electronics connected in parallel with said switching contact, said semiconductor electronics acting as a current barrier when said switching contact is closed, and when said semiconductor electronics become current-conductive, an arc current is commutated from said switching contact to said semiconductor electronics; said semiconductor electronics having a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch respectively connected in series; said semiconductor electronics having a control input connected to said switching contact such that, when said switching contact opens, an arc voltage across said switching contact generated as a consequence of an arc renders said semiconductor electronics current-conductive; said semiconductor electronics having an energy storage device connected to be charged as a consequence of the arc within an arc duration; and a timer configured to start at an end of a charging time of said energy storage device in order to switch off said semiconductor electronics with no arc being formed; wherein the arc voltage charging said energy storage device is tapped at a node between said first semiconductor switch and said second semiconductor switch; wherein the arc voltage tapped at said node between said first semiconductor switch and said second semiconductor switch also provides a supply voltage to said semiconductor electronics and said timer.