A circuit-based apparatus comprising: a direct current-to-direct current, DC-to-DC, converter including an inductor, the DC-to-DC converter configured and arranged to generate, from an input DC voltage source, an output voltage that is set according to a detected current level through the inductor, and output the DC voltage to an output for powering an LED circuit; a current source; a voltage monitor circuit; a protection circuit and a protection switch connected to the protection circuit, characterized in that the current source is configured and arranged to deliver current to the LED circuit using the input DC voltage source as a return path for the delivered current; the voltage monitor circuit is configured and arranged to determine the current-source voltage across the current source; and generate a DC-to-DC converter control signal in response to the determined current source voltage, and the protection circuit is configured to receive the determined current source voltage from the voltage monitor circuit; determine that the LED circuit has a short circuit based upon the current source voltage; and provide, in response to determining that the LED circuit has a short circuit, a disable signal (PROT) to the protection switch that is configured and arranged to prevent the DC-to-DC converter from providing the DC voltage to the output for powering an LED circuit. a direct current-to-direct current, DC-to-DC, converter including an inductor, the DC-to-DC converter configured and arranged to generate, from an input DC voltage source, an output voltage that is set according to a detected current level through the inductor, and output the DC voltage to an output for powering an LED circuit; a current source; a voltage monitor circuit; a protection circuit and a protection switch connected to the protection circuit, characterized in that the current source is configured and arranged to deliver current to the LED circuit using the input DC voltage source as a return path for the delivered current; the voltage monitor circuit is configured and arranged to determine the current-source voltage across the current source; and generate a DC-to-DC converter control signal in response to the determined current source voltage, and determine the current-source voltage across the current source; and generate a DC-to-DC converter control signal in response to the determined current source voltage, and the protection circuit is configured to receive the determined current source voltage from the voltage monitor circuit; determine that the LED circuit has a short circuit based upon the current source voltage; and provide, in response to determining that the LED circuit has a short circuit, a disable signal (PROT) to the protection switch that is configured and arranged to prevent the DC-to-DC converter from providing the DC voltage to the output for powering an LED circuit. receive the determined current source voltage from the voltage monitor circuit; determine that the LED circuit has a short circuit based upon the current source voltage; and provide, in response to determining that the LED circuit has a short circuit, a disable signal (PROT) to the protection switch that is configured and arranged to prevent the DC-to-DC converter from providing the DC voltage to the output for powering an LED circuit.