Solid state switch with quasi-predictive short circuit protection and thermal protection

摘要

A protection circuit detects short circuit and/or current overload conditions based on one of a current level and a current change rate di/dt of a current through a load. A detection device uses an inductor to detect current change rate and a resistor to detect current level, and generates a first voltage signal based on the voltages of the inductor and the resistor. A comparator generates a second voltage signal based on the voltage signal and a reference voltage signal. A switching circuit allows or interrupts current through the load based in part on the second voltage.