Patent ID: 7768753

Claim:
A circuit arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharges, comprising: a diverting element, which is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal and has a control input, via which the diverting element can be controlled into the conducting state; a first trigger element, which has a first trigger output for outputting a first trigger signal to the control input in a manner dependent on a voltage between the first and second terminals, the first trigger output being coupled to the control input; a first amplifier unit, which has an input coupled to the first trigger output, and an output coupled to the control input, for amplifying the first trigger output; and a second trigger element, which has a second trigger output for outputting a second trigger signal to the control input in a manner dependent on the voltage between the first and second terminals, the second trigger output being coupled to the control input which is coupled to the first trigger output; wherein the first trigger element is arranged for outputting the first trigger signal if the voltage between the first and second terminals exceeds a positive threshold value; and wherein the second trigger element is arranged for outputting the second trigger signal if the voltage between the first and second terminals falls below a negative threshold value.