Patent ID: 7411770

Claim:
A circuit arrangement comprising: a plurality of semiconductor switches including a first semiconductor switch and at least one second semiconductor switch, each of the plurality of semiconductor switches including a control terminal, a first load terminal, and second load terminal; and an overvoltage protection arrangement for the plurality of semiconductor switches, the overvoltage protection arrangement comprising a voltage limiting unit including a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the voltage limiting unit is connected to a central circuit node, wherein the second terminal of the voltage limiting unit is connected to a reference potential, wherein the voltage limiting unit is configured to conduct a current when a threshold voltage is applied between the first and second terminals of the voltage limiting unit, and wherein the central circuit node is coupled to the first load terminals of the plurality of semiconductor switches; and a plurality of actuating circuits including a first actuating circuit for the first semiconductor switch and a second actuating circuit for the at least one second semiconductor switch, wherein each of the plurality of actuating circuits comprise a current sensor connected between the first load terminal of one of the plurality of semiconductor switches and the central circuit node, and a current source configured to be actuated by the current sensor, wherein the current source is connected to the control terminal of the one of the plurality of semiconductor switches.