Load control device having an overcurrent protection circuit

An electrical load controller, comprising:

• input circuitry to receive a zero cross detect signal from zero cross detect circuitry coupled to an alternating current (AC) voltage source;
• first output circuitry to provide a control signal to cause a controllably conductive device to enter a conductive state for a portion of each AC half-cycle to provide a phase-controlled voltage output;
• and
• second output circuitry to provide an enable signal to enable overcurrent protection circuitry only while the controllably conductive device remains in the conductive state.

An electrical load control overcurrent protection method, comprising:

• receiving, by electrical load controller control circuitry, a zero cross detect signal from zero cross detect circuitry coupled to an alternating current (AC) voltage source;
• providing, by the electrical load controller control circuitry, a control signal to cause a controllably conductive device to enter a conductive state for a portion of each AC half-cycle to provide a phase-controlled voltage output;
• and
• providing, by the electrical load controller control circuitry, an enable signal to enable overcurrent protection circuitry only while the controllably conductive device remains in the conductive state.

A non-transitory, machine-readable, storage device that includes instructions that, when executed by electrical load controller control circuitry, causes the electrical load controller control circuitry to:

• receive a zero cross detect signal from zero cross detect circuitry coupled to an alternating current (AC) voltage source;
• provide a control signal to cause a controllably conductive device to enter a conductive state for a portion of each AC half-cycle to provide a phase-controlled voltage output;
• and
• provide an enable signal to enable overcurrent protection circuitry only while the controllably conductive device remains in the conductive state.