Rapid short circuit protection for a multiple output power supply

摘要

A direct current (DC) power supply supplies at least a first output and a second output having opposite voltage polarities. A protection circuit is coupled to the first and second outputs of the DC power supply, where the protection circuit includes a summing circuit that sums the voltages of the first and second outputs, an over-voltage detection circuit coupled to the summing circuit, and a shutdown latch. In the event of an overload or short circuit fault on one of the outputs of the power supply, the sum of the voltages of the first and second outputs exceeds a threshold voltage, causing the over-voltage detection circuit to output an over-voltage signal. In response to the over-voltage signal, the shutdown latch disables are at least one output of the DC power supply in order to prevent damage to its internal components.