Peak Voltage Protection Circuit and Method

摘要

A peak voltage protection circuit for protecting an associated High Voltage NPN transistor (T 3 ) against breakdown, the protection circuit comprising a Low Voltage NPN element (T 15 ) for sensing a sensor voltage related to a base-collector voltage of the associated High Voltage NPN transistor (T 3 ). The circuit further comprises an activation circuit for limiting the base-collector voltage of the associated High Voltage NPN transistor (T 3 ) upon triggering. The Low Voltage NPN element ( 15 ) is coupled to the activation circuit for triggering it upon the sensor voltage exceeding a breakdown voltage of the Low Voltage NPN transistor (T 15 ).