Driver circuit for intrinsically safe circuits

A driver circuit configured to process and supply electric signals for an electric device of an intrinsically safe circuit, the driver circuit comprising:

• a first output line;
• a coupling capacitor, configured to be open to AC voltage signals and to decouple DC voltage signals, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, and being electrically connected to the first output line of the driver circuit by the first terminal;
• a first circuit configured to detect an output current of the coupling capacitor, which flows from the first terminal of the coupling capacitor to the first output line of the driver circuit;
• a switchable element electrically connected to the second terminal of the coupling capacitor;
• and
• a second circuit configured to control a switching behaviour of the switchable element, and to switch the switchable element from an electrically blocking state to an electrically conductive state when the output current of the coupling capacitor at the first terminal reaches or exceeds a predefined threshold value, so that the switchable element in the electrically conductive state causes the discharge of an electric charge of the coupling capacitor via the second terminal.