Load control device having a closed-loop gate drive circuit including overcurrent protection

A load control device configured to control power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising:

• a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between the AC power source and the electrical load, the controllably conductive device comprising a semiconductor switch configured to conduct a load current through the electrical load;
• a control circuit;
• and
• a gate drive circuit configured to:
• generate a target signal in response to the control circuit,
• shape the target signal over a period of time,
• increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time,
• receive a feedback signal indicative of a magnitude of the load current conducted through the semiconductor switch, and
• generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal;
• wherein the semiconductor switch of the controllably conductive device is configured to be rendered conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.

A load control device configured to control power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising:

• a hot terminal adapted to be electrically coupled to a hot side of the AC power source;
• a dimmed-hot terminal adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrical load;
• a neutral terminal;
• a controllable conductive device coupled in series with the electrical load, the controllable conductive device comprising a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch;
• a control circuit;
• and
• a first closed-loop gate drive circuit configured to:
• receive a first drive signal from the control circuit, and
• generate a first gate control signal in response to the first drive signal and a drain-source current through the first semiconductor switch.