A method and apparatus for operating a power distribution system, includes providing a solid state switch downstream of a power source and upstream of an electrical load, the solid state switch operable in a conducting mode that enabling conduction from upstream to the output and a non-conducting mode that disables conduction from the input to the output, and providing a transient voltage suppressor defining a breakdown voltage upstream of the solid state switch.

A circuit includes a voltage detection path having a first transistor and a second transistor coupled to the first voltage detection path by a first terminal of the second transistor. The first voltage detection path includes: a first current source and a first voltage divider unit coupled to the first current source. The first transistor is coupled to the first voltage divider unit by a first terminal of the first transistor. A first voltage value at a second terminal of the first transistor is configured to switch between a first high voltage value and a first low voltage value at least partially based on a first detection voltage value provided at the first terminal of the first transistor by the first voltage divider unit. A second voltage at a second terminal of the second transistor is configured to switch between a second high voltage value and a second low voltage value at least partially based on the first voltage value at the second terminal of the first transistor.

A circuit includes a voltage detection path having a first transistor and a second transistor coupled to the first voltage detection path by a first terminal of the second transistor. The first voltage detection path includes: a first current source and a first voltage divider unit coupled to the first current source. The first transistor is coupled to the first voltage divider unit by a first terminal of the first transistor. A first voltage value at a second terminal of the first transistor is configured to switch between a first high voltage value and a first low voltage value at least partially based on a first detection voltage value provided at the first terminal of the first transistor by the first voltage divider unit. A second voltage at a second terminal of the second transistor is configured to switch between a second high voltage value and a second low voltage value at least partially based on the first voltage value at the second terminal of the first transistor.

A method of controlling an isolated switching converter having an output voltage that is adjustable, can include: sampling an output voltage of the isolated switching converter; setting an overvoltage protection threshold corresponding to the output voltage of the isolated switching converter when the isolated switching converter enters a protection mode; and triggering the overvoltage protection by comparing an output voltage feedback signal representing the output voltage against the overvoltage protection threshold.

A method of controlling an isolated switching converter having an output voltage that is adjustable, can include: sampling an output voltage of the isolated switching converter; setting an overvoltage protection threshold corresponding to the output voltage of the isolated switching converter when the isolated switching converter enters a protection mode; and triggering the overvoltage protection by comparing an output voltage feedback signal representing the output voltage against the overvoltage protection threshold.

A power supply semiconductor IC includes: an output transistor connected between a voltage-input terminal and a voltage-output terminal; a control circuit that controls the output transistor based on a feedback voltage of an output voltage; a current-limit circuit that limits an output current of the output transistor such that the output current is not equal to or greater than a current limit; a first transistor constituting a current-mirror circuit with the output transistor; a short-circuit-fault detection circuit that detects a short circuit of the voltage-output terminal based on a voltage across a resistor connected in series to the first transistor; and a first output terminal that outputs a detection result of the short-circuit-fault detection circuit. The current limit is within a detection range of the short-circuit-fault detection circuit. The short-circuit-fault detection circuit detects a short circuit of the voltage-output terminal even while the current limit circuit limits the output current.

A power supply semiconductor IC includes: an output transistor connected between a voltage-input terminal and a voltage-output terminal; a control circuit that controls the output transistor based on a feedback voltage of an output voltage; a current-limit circuit that limits an output current of the output transistor such that the output current is not equal to or greater than a current limit; a first transistor constituting a current-mirror circuit with the output transistor; a short-circuit-fault detection circuit that detects a short circuit of the voltage-output terminal based on a voltage across a resistor connected in series to the first transistor; and a first output terminal that outputs a detection result of the short-circuit-fault detection circuit. The current limit is within a detection range of the short-circuit-fault detection circuit. The short-circuit-fault detection circuit detects a short circuit of the voltage-output terminal even while the current limit circuit limits the output current.

A low dropout regulator includes a first stage that generate a first output voltage and a second stage that generates a second output voltage different from the first output voltage. The first stage and the second stage are coupled in parallel to a node, the stages are selectively controlled respective first and second output signals based on different conditions. One condition may be operation of a load in one or more predetermined modes. Another condition may be transition between modes. Selective control of the first stage during a mode transition may reduce voltage undershoot or voltage overshoot in the load.

A low dropout regulator includes a first stage that generate a first output voltage and a second stage that generates a second output voltage different from the first output voltage. The first stage and the second stage are coupled in parallel to a node, the stages are selectively controlled respective first and second output signals based on different conditions. One condition may be operation of a load in one or more predetermined modes. Another condition may be transition between modes. Selective control of the first stage during a mode transition may reduce voltage undershoot or voltage overshoot in the load.

A circuit comprising a NMOS having a gate coupled to a first node and a source terminal coupled to a second node, a second NMOS having a gate coupled to the second node and a source terminal coupled to an output node, a PMOS having a gate coupled to a third node, a drain terminal coupled to a fourth node, and a source terminal coupled to a fifth node, and a second PMOS having a gate coupled to the fourth node, a drain terminal coupled to the output node, and a source terminal coupled to the fifth node. The circuit also includes a voltage protection sub-circuit coupled to the first node, a fast turn-off sub-circuit coupled to the output node, a fast turn-on sub-circuit coupled to the third and fourth nodes, and a node initialization sub-circuit coupled to the first, second, and fourth nodes and the fast turn-on sub-circuit.