Abstract: An H configuration write driver circuit is provided which includes integral fault detection circuitry. A load device, such as a magnetic tape recorder write head, is coupled in an H configuration with four drive transistors. A first and second drive transistor are coupled to opposite ends of the load device and produce current flow through the load device in a first direction. A third and fourth drive transistor are coupled to opposite ends of the load device to produce current flow through the load device in the opposite direction. A resistor is coupled in series between each drive transistor and the load device and these resistors serve to determine the time constant of the rise/fall of current through the inductive write head and to limit current flow through a drive transistor in the event of a short circuit condition therein.