A switch operating at the threshold of saturation that will self-commutate to an off state when the load current is zero

摘要

Disclosed is a method of controlling the delivery of power having a current component to a load having an inductive component. The method includes selectively switching power to the load with a switch. The switch is caused to operate at the threshold of saturation during a conduction state such that the switch self commutates to its off state when the magnitude of the current through the load is substantially zero. A further method is disclosed for detecting a load current zero crossing where the switch self commutates to its off state when the load current reaches zero crossing.