摘要 |
<p>A bilevel current limiting control circuit which enables a semiconductor controlled power switch with a limited power handling capability to operate near the inside border of the safe operating area (SOA) characteristic of the power switch. The control circuit is especially useful in limiting the turn-on inrush surge current to an incandescent lamp load supplied via the semiconductor power switch. The control circuit includes a series circuit made up of the power switch, a current sensing resistor and a lamp load connected to the terminals of a source of supply voltage. First and second comparison circuits, arranged to provide first and second different current limits for the control circuit, are connected to the sensing resistor. A third comparison circuit compares the load voltage with a reference voltage to control a selector device that selects the output of the first or second comparison circuit as a function of the level of the load voltage. The output of the selected comparison circuit is applied via a feedback circuit to a control electrode of the power switch so as to control the load current to the first and second current limit values as selected in response to the load voltage. <IMAGE></p> |