METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING A POLARITY OF A FREEWHEELING DIODE, ACTUATOR CIRCUIT AND SAFETY APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE

摘要

A method for identifying a polarity of a freewheeling diode interconnected in parallel to an inductive actuator for a safety unit for a vehicle. The method includes applying a test current to a terminal of the freewheeling diode and carrying out a comparison between a voltage present at the terminal and a threshold voltage while the test current is being applied, a result of the comparison indicating the polarity of the freewheeling diode.