Overvoltage protection circuit for a power semiconductor and method for protecting a power semiconductor from over-voltages
US10236874B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/0828
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to an overvoltage protection circuit (5) and a method for protecting a power semiconductor (31, 32) from over-voltages. For this purpose, a voltage applied across a power semiconductor switch is first converted to a lower voltage signal corresponding to the voltage applied to the power semiconductor switch by means of a resistance voltage divider. The reduced voltage signal is then evaluated by means of an overvoltage detector, such as a Zener or suppression diode, and the power semiconductor switch to be protected is activated if the response voltage of said diode is exceeded. By lowering the voltage level by means of a voltage divider, a Zener or suppression diode having a lower voltage level can be used for monitoring the overvoltage, said Zener or suppression diode having improved operating properties in comparison with corresponding diodes having a higher voltage level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.