Abstract: A fast-acting power protection system and a related method of power protection are disclosed. The fast-acting power protection system includes a current limiting block capable of reducing or blocking an unwanted current or voltage surge at an input terminal of the fast-acting power protection system. The fast-acting power protection system can include an NMOS-based power switch unit, a current-limiting block control unit, and an NMOS-based active Zener clamp, which may be separated or combined on hybrid substrates of a single semiconductor package for improved design and manufacturing scalability, cost efficiency, and reliability. Depending on design preferences, the NMOS-based active Zener clamp may be integrated into the current-limiting block control unit or remain separate. The fast-acting power protection system protects an electrical device connected to an output terminal of the fast-acting power protection system from an unwanted voltage surge by rapidly clamping an output voltage to a clamp voltage.

Abstract: A fast-acting power protection system and a related method of power protection are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the fast-acting power protection system includes a current limiting block capable of reducing or shutting down an unwanted current or voltage surge at an input terminal of the fast-acting power protection system. The fast-acting power protection system also integrates an output voltage clamp and the current limiting block in one piece of monolithic semiconductor material, wherein the output voltage clamp protects an electrical device connected to an output terminal of the fast-acting power protection system from an unwanted voltage surge by rapidly clamping an output voltage to a clamp voltage. Furthermore, the fast-acting power protection system also protects from a reverse polarity input voltage and dielectrically isolates a MOSFET for reverse polarity protection from other current-limiting MOSFET's inside the current limiting block.