Patent ID: 8390972
Filing Date: 2013-03-05
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
1. An electronic system for providing power to a load, comprising: a plurality of first switches providing parallel paths from a power source to the load and being operable to control a flow of current from the power source to the load, each of the first switches having an input, an output, and a gate; a controller, wherein the controller is operable to detect a fault condition and to turn OFF the plurality of first switches to prevent the flow of current from the power source to the load in response to the detected fault condition; a plurality of first fuses, each first fuse being coupled to an input of an associated one of the plurality of first switches, each of the plurality of first fuses being operable to prevent a flow of current from the power source to the input of its associated switch if a current flowing to the input of its associated switch exceeds a first fuse current threshold; and a plurality of second fuses, each second fuse being coupled to a gate of an associated one of the plurality of first switches, each of the second plurality of fuses being operable to prevent a flow of current to the gate of its associated switch if the current flowing to the gate of its associated switch exceeds a second fuse current threshold.