Patent attributes
A semiconductor device for driving a load includes: a protection circuit configured to be connected to the load, the protection circuit including a protection diode, a diode-connected unipolar protection element, and a diode-connected bipolar protection element, all of which are connected in parallel so that when connected to the load, the protection diode, the diode-connected unipolar protection element, and the diode-connected bipolar protection element are connected in parallel to the load; and a switching circuit that is connected in series to the protection circuit and that performs a switching operation so as to drive the load. The protection diode, the diode-connected unipolar protection element, and the diode-connected bipolar protection element are connected in such a polarity that each is reverse-biased when the switching circuit is turned ON, and consume a discharge current resulting from a counter-electromotive force from the load when the switching circuit is turned OFF.
