The present disclosure relates to a battery module (300) comprising a first charging terminal (203) and a second charging terminal (204) for connecting the battery module to an external power source (250) or a load (350). The battery module includes a battery cell arrangement (210) which has a maximum charge voltage and has a first terminal (201) and a second terminal (202). The first terminal (201) is connected to the first charging terminal (203). The battery module includes also a switch arrangement including at least a first switching device (240) connected between the second terminal (202) of the battery cell arrangement and the second charging terminal (204). The first switching device is operable to switch to a current passing state for discharging the battery module. The battery module also includes a controller (220) configured to control operation of the switch arrangement. Upon detection of a reverse polarity connection of the external power source at the first and second charging terminals, the controller is configured to operate the first switching device to switch to a current blocking state. The first switching device has a blocking voltage equal or higher than at least twice the maximum charge voltage of the battery cell arrangement.

A polarity reversal protection circuit includes a MOSFET and a turn-off circuit, which turns off the MOSFET in the case of a polarity reversal. The turn-off circuit includes a detector for detecting the case in which the voltage at the source terminal of the MOSFET undershoots the voltage at the drain terminal of said MOSFET. Furthermore, it includes a quick-break switch for turning off the MOSFET in the event of detected voltage undershooting, a comparator for comparing the voltages present at source terminal and drain terminal of the MOSFET after detected voltage undershooting, wherein the output of the comparator is connected to the gate terminal of the MOSFET, a boost converter, a buck converter and a charge pump for voltage supply, and a switch for switching off the comparator.

Disclosed are an electrostatic discharge circuit and a method for preventing malfunctions of an integrated circuit due to a reverse connection of a power source. The electrostatic discharge circuit includes at least one MOSFET for providing an electrostatic discharging current path, and a control circuit coupled to the at least one MOSFET. When an external power supply is reversely connected, the control circuit is configured to change a potential of a base of at least one MOSFET, such that the at least one MOSFET is turned off, thereby preventing the integrated circuit from malfunctioning caused by a current generated by the reverse connection of the external power source flowing through the at least one MOSFET.

A direct current (DC)/DC conversion circuit includes an input end, a power circuit, and an output end, a bypass circuit that is a unidirectional conduction circuit, and a switch disposed between the input end and the power circuit, where the input end is configured to be coupled to an external power supply to receive power to the DC/DC conversion circuit. The bypass circuit is coupled between the input end and the power circuit, the bypass circuit is disposed between the switch and the power circuit, and the bypass circuit is coupled to the power circuit in parallel. The switch is configured to be closed when the input end is reversely coupled to the external power supply to enable a current from a positive electrode of the external power supply to flow back to a negative electrode of the external power supply through the bypass circuit and the switch.

A protection circuit includes: a high-side switch connected to a power terminal to which a predetermined power supply voltage VBB is supplied from an onboard battery; and an NMOS transistor MT1 connected to the high-side switch and configured to prevent an electrical conduction to the high-side switch when the onboard battery is reverse-connected to the power terminal, wherein a semiconductor integrated circuit is protected from a breakdown due to the reverse connection of the external power supply. A semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus includes the above-mentioned protection circuit configured to protect a semiconductor integrated circuit connected between the power terminal and the ground terminal, from an electro-static discharge breakdown. The protection circuit is connected to the clamp circuit unit inserted between the power terminal and the ground terminal, and is configured to protect the clamp circuit unit from a breakdown when the external power supply is reverse-connected.

A protection circuit is provided. A control circuit receives an input voltage. In a case that the input voltage is lower than a negative threshold voltage, the control circuit outputs a first control voltage to a surge bleeder circuit through a first output end of the control circuit, to control the surge bleeder circuit to discharge the input voltage and output a first bleeder current. In a case that the input voltage is higher than a positive threshold voltage, the control circuit outputs a second control voltage to the surge bleeder circuit through a second output end of the control circuit, to control the surge bleeder circuit to discharge the input voltage and output a second bleeder current.

A compact, decorative and multi-functional portable power charger and cable apparatus includes a portable charger unit with a housing where the housing encloses an internal rechargeable battery unit for connecting to and recharging one or more electronic devices, and a charging cable extending from the charger housing and in operative communication with the rechargeable battery. At least the charger housing is surrounded by an aesthetic feature, which can comprise a tasseled fitting, a puffball, a luggage tag, or a doll or teddy bear to hide the charger unit. Electrical fittings including power connection interfaces for connecting the charger and cable apparatus with at least one electronic device, or an external power source, or both, can be provided on the charging cable and also hidden by the aesthetic feature. The power charger and cable apparatus can be attached to a fashion accessory, such as a purse, a bag, luggage or clothing.

An electrostatic-discharge (ESD) protection circuit is provided. The circuit includes an I/O terminal coupled for receiving a signal having a negative voltage relative to a voltage supply terminal. An ESD transistor is formed in an isolated well. The transistor includes a control electrode and a first current electrode coupled to the I/O terminal. The isolated well is configured as a body electrode of the transistor. An ESD diode includes an anode electrode coupled to the voltage supply terminal and a cathode electrode coupled to a second current electrode of the transistor.

The power control device reliably disconnects the current path of the failed output transistor. In particular, the power control device includes output transistors, an output terminal, bonding wires connecting the output transistors to the output terminal, output transistor driving circuits controlling the output of the output transistors, and a failure detection circuit detecting the failure of the output transistors. When the failure detection circuit detects the failure of the output transistors and outputs the failure detection signals, the output transistor drive circuits control the outputs of the output transistors so that a larger current flows through the bonding wires than when the failure is not detected.

The present embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for providing fault protection in a power controller such as a voltage regulator, and particularly protection against reverse over current fault conditions. Some embodiments are capable of distinguishing between different types of reverse over current conditions, such as a high-side short or a normal over voltage condition. In these and other embodiments, fault protection is performed in favor of a load connected to the voltage regulator, rather than components of the voltage regulator itself.