Current inrush limiting circuit with fast reset

摘要

A circuit for and method of controlling transient currents on power conductors includes a voltage-controlled switch connected between one of the power conductors and a load. A turn-on circuit is connected to the switch to control the switch during a transition period in which the switch changes from a non-current conducting state to a conducting state in which a static current flow to the load can be maintained. The turn-on circuit controls turn-on such that the rate of rise and the peak amplitude of the current through the switch is limited during the transition period. A reset circuit also is connected to the voltage-controlled switch to reset the switch to a non-conductive state when the voltage between the power conductors drops out. The reset circuit is configured to reset the switch within a reset period having a duration that is shorter than the duration of the transition period. The circuit and method are particularly suited for use in a network in which the power conductors provide electrical power to a plurality of nodes, and are even more suited for use in a network in which the power conductors and the data conductors, which transmit data between nodes, are disposed within a single media cable.