A HYBRID SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC GRIDS

A switching apparatus for an electric grid comprising:- first and second electric terminals for electrical connection with corresponding grid portions;- a first electric branch comprising a plurality of switching devices having electric contacts that can be mechanically coupled or separated to conduct or block a current, respectively;- a second electric branch comprising one or more switching devices of solid-state type including one or more switching components based on semiconductor materials, each switching device being adapted to switch between an on-state, at which said switching device conducts a current, and an off-state, at which said switching device blocks a current, said second electric branch being electrically connected in parallel with said first electric branch between said first and second electric terminals;The first electric branch comprises:- a first switching device capable of switching between a closed state, at which said first switching device conducts a current, and an open state, at which said first switching device blocks a current, said first switching device switching from said closed state to said open state upon being driven by a current flowing along said first switching device and without receiving an external control signal or an external power supply, said first switching device switching from said closed state to said open state, when the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or when the changing rate of the current flowing along said switching apparatus exceeds a corresponding predefined threshold value or upon a combination of these two conditions;- a second switching device electrically connected in series with said first switching device and capable of switching between a closed state, at which said second switching device conducts a current, and an open state, at which said second switching device blocks a current, said second switching device switching between said closed state and said open state, upon receiving a corresponding input control signal.