HYBRID BI-DIRECTIONAL DC CONTACTOR AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THEREOF

A hybrid DC contactor includes contacts that provide a first current path between a DC power source and a load, an electromagnetic coil to position the contacts, a semiconductor switch in parallel with contacts that, when turned on, provides a second parallel current path that diverts current away from the contacts when the main contacts are being opened in either direction. A controller is provided to terminate power to the electromagnetic coil to open the contacts, detect an arc voltage across the contacts as the contacts open, provide a gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on for a pre-determined period of time to route current to the semiconductor switch, measure a current through the contacts and, if current is present through the contacts, then provide another gate signal to the semiconductor switch to pulse the switch on again so as to route current thereto.