Inrush current limiter

摘要

A method and apparatus for preventing current inrush upon the application of power to a load includes the steps of applying a first increasing DC voltage from a voltage source to the load through a single signal path which includes a transistor having a control electrode coupled to the voltage source and a second electrode coupled to the load. The transistor has a first operating region with an ON resistance characteristic which decreases between first and second applied control voltages. The transistor has a second operating mode in which the transistor has a relatively low on resistance RON. The transistor is thus disposed in the single signal path to both limit inrush current and to provide a low loss signal path between the voltage source and the load.