Patent ID: 7307466

Claim:
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a high voltage generator for generating a boosted internal power supply potential and a potential detector for controlling the high voltage generator by detecting a potential at an output terminal of the high voltage generator, the potential detector comprising: a first capacitor, one terminal thereof being connected to an output terminal of the high voltage generator via a first switching device, another terminal thereof being connected to a reference potential terminal; a second capacitor, one terminal thereof being connected, via a second switching device, to a first node at which the first switching device and the first capacitor are connected, and another terminal thereof being connected to the reference potential terminal; a third switching device connected between a second node at which the second switching device and the second capacitor are connected and the reference potential terminal; a clock generator for generating clock signals to simultaneously and periodically turn on the first and the third switching devices and turn on the second switching device periodically in an opposite timing to the first and the third switching devices; and a comparator for comparing a potential at the second node with a reference potential and outputting a detection signal when a potential at the potential detection terminal reaches a predetermined potential.