Patent ID: 6067219
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: H02H,H03K

Abstract:
A power cut-off device for protecting a load, the device including a first switching device comprising a field effect transistor having source, drain and gate terminals, and a second switching device having first and second current terminals and a control terminal, wherein the first switching device is cross-coupled to the second switching device with one of the source and drain of the first switching device and one of the first and second current terminals of the second switching device being connected to a common node such that when one switching device is on the other switching device is off and vice versa, and wherein the load is connectable in series with the first switching device such that substantially the entire voltage of the power supply would be applied across the first switching device if the load were short circuited wherein an impedance is connected in series with the second switching device through which current flows when the second switching device is turned on and wherein the load is also connected in series with the impedance.