Built-in test for an overvoltage protection circuit
US8598899B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/041
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An overvoltage protection circuit connected to protect electrical components from overvoltage conditions includes a blocking diode connected in series with a transient voltage suppression device (TVS) via a first node and includes a reference voltage for biasing the first node at a voltage sufficient to reverse bias the blocking diode during normal operations. A built-in test circuit associated with the overvoltage protection circuit includes a resistor connected to the first node and a switch connected in series with the resistor that is selectively turned On and Off. The built-in test circuit monitors voltage on a control line associated with the electrical components and at the first node while the switch is Off and while the switch is On, and detects fault conditions based on the monitored voltages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.