Circuit for protecting a transistor connected to the primary side of an ignition coil against an overvoltage resulting from an open circuit condition in the secondary side of the ignition coil

摘要

An electronic circuit (10) for driving a load (12) includes a primary coil (18) coupled to a secondary coil (20). The secondary coil is coupled to the load. A switching device (28) is electrically connected to the primary coil. A control circuit (30) is coupled to the switching device and inhibits current flow through the switching device if an electrical signal applied to the switching device by the primary coil is indicative of the secondary coil being in an open condition.