Electronic fuse

1. An electronic fuse comprising:

an integrated circuit having a control output terminal coupled to a control electrode of a power semiconductor switching device, the power semiconductor switching device being coupled in series with a load between first and second potentials;

the integrated circuit further comprising a current sense input for sensing the current through the power semiconductor switching device;

the integrated circuit further comprising a driver circuit for driving the power semiconductor switching device, the driver circuit being coupled to a current limiting circuit responsive to the sensed current in the power semiconductor switching device, the current limiting circuit controlling the driver circuit whereby if the current through the power semiconductor switching device exceeds a predetermined threshold, the current limiting circuit generates a command to pulsed the power semiconductor switching device on and off in a period of pulse operation to maintain the current in the power semiconductor switching device below a predetermined level;

further comprising a first timer circuit for limiting the period of pulsed operation to a preprogrammed first duration and further for controlling the power semiconductor switching device whereby if two commands to pulse the power semiconductor switching device are generated by the current limiting circuit within a duration less than a predetermined second duration, the power semiconductor switching device is turned off.

2. The electronic circuit of claim 1 , wherein if said predetermined second duration is less than about 400 msec, the power semi-conductor switching device is turned off.

3. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein said timer circuit generates a signal to turn off said power semiconductor switching device if two commands to pulse the power semiconductor switching device are generated within a duration less than said predetermined second duration.

4. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a current overload detection circuit for detecting a current overload over a preprogrammed current level and generating an overload signal.

5. The circuit of claim 4 , further comprising a second timer circuit responsive to the current overload detection circuit for detecting if a current overload exceeds a preprogrammed time and generating a fault signal to turn off the power semiconductor switching device.

6. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a latch circuit responsive to the current limiting circuit and the first timer circuit for generating control signals to control operation of said semiconductor switching device.

7. The circuit of claim 6 , wherein the latch circuit provides said control signals to a driver circuit for driving said power semiconductor switching device.

8. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the current limiting circuit has a current sensing circuit coupled to sense current through the power semiconductor switching device.

9. The circuit of claim 8 , wherein the current sensing circuit is coupled to a current shunt resistor coupled in series with the power semiconductor switching device and the load.

10. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a reset actuator for resetting functions of the integrated circuit in the event of an overload current in said power semiconductor switching device.

11. The circuit of claim 1 , further comprising an overtemperature protection circuit for detecting an excessive temperature of said power semiconductor switching device and for generating a control signal to turn off the power semiconductor switching device.

12. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein the power semiconductor switching device comprises a MOSFET.