Abstract: An arc protection circuit is disclosed for protecting a component, such as a transistor, from the effects of arcs developed in a CRT. The protection circuit includes an arc sensing circuit coupled to the component to be protected so as to sense the presence of an arc-induced transient voltage, in response to which the sensing circuit rapidly assumes a first state. An active current switch is coupled to the protected component and is responsive to the first state of the sensing circuit for rapidly assuming a low impedance state to shunt arc-induced current away from the component.