Patent ID: 6577509
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H02M,H03K

Abstract:
A semiconductor circuit, comprising:a drive circuit having a drive circuit output and producing a control signal at said drive circuit output; a controllable, integrated semiconductor switching element configured to switch itself on and off; a load-break switch for clocked switching of a load, said load-break switch having: first and second load path connections; a control connection connected to said drive circuit output; and said control signal controlling said load-break switch through said control connection; a first current source having a first output and providing a starting charging current at said first output when said load-break switch is switched off, said first current source connected to said first load path connection; a monitoring device having at least one second current source with a second output; said at least one second current source producing a status signal at said second output; said monitoring device at least one of: measuring a voltage between said first and second load path connections; and measuring a potential present at one of said first and second load path connections; said monitoring device producing said status signal dependent upon at least one of said voltage and said potential; and a starting charging device connected to said drive circuit and supplying said drive circuit with power through said starting charging current.