Patent attributes
A device for protecting against arcing events solar array panels and control equipment supplying a main power bus is provided. The control equipment comprises a regulator for controlling a solar array voltage (Vs) and includes a power dump stage for shunting the solar array voltage as a function of a control signal. The device comprises a voltage drop detection circuit for generating a voltage drop detection signal (VD) when a voltage drop is detected in the solar array voltage (Vs), and an arc-quenching circuit comprising a system for generating an output signal (Vo) which is applied as the control signal to the power dump stage so as to shunt the solar array voltage (Vs) when a voltage drop is detected by the voltage drop detection circuit.