Abstract: A drive circuit is disclosed. The drive circuit includes a high-side switch coupled between a power supply and an inductive load, and a low-side switch coupled between the load and ground. A current sense device is connected in series with the high-side switch, the low-side switch and the load. A control circuit controls the high-side and low-side switches. The control circuit further includes an input coupled to an output of the current sense device, and is configured to selectively provide a current path between the first and second terminals of the inductive load based upon the output of the current sense device. The current path is provided when an overcurrent condition exists, and dissipates energy stored in the inductive load in response to the overcurrent condition.