Patent ID: 8294383

Claim:
A driving device, comprising: a first circuit adapted to convert an input network voltage to an output direct voltage, the first circuit including a transformer that includes a primary winding , a secondary winding having a center tap between two end terminals, a transistor, and at least two capacitive elements coupled to the center tap of the secondary winding of the transformer and to the end terminals of the secondary winding; a second circuit configured to receive the output direct voltage and to convert the output direct voltage to an alternating signal; and a protection circuit configured to receive the output direct voltage and including a capacitor and a Zener diode, the capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a reference potential and a second terminal coupled to the Zener diode, the protection circuit configured to send a signal to turn off the driving device response to a voltage across the capacitor of the protection circuit overcoming a threshold voltage of the Zener diode.