Current inrush limiting circuit with fast reset

In a network including a plurality of nodes connected to a media cable, the media cable including first and second power conductors for providing electrical power to the nodes, first and second data conductors for transmitting data between the nodes, and an insulative cover extending over the power conductors and the data conductors, at least one of the nodes including a transient control circuit comprising:

• a solid-state switch coupled between the first power conductor and a load disposed at the at least one node, the solid-state switch having a conductive state in which a current flow through the solid-state switch can be maintained static, and a nonconductive state in which the current flow through the solid-state switch is substantially prevented;
• a turn-on circuit coupled to the solid-state switch to control the current flow through the solid-state switch during a transition period during which the solid-state switch transitions from the non-conductive state to the conductive state, the turn-on circuit configured to limit a rate of increase and a peak amplitude of the current flow during the transition period;
• and
• a reset circuit coupled to the solid-state switch to reset the solid-state switch from the conductive state to the nonconductive state when the magnitude of voltage between the first and second power conductors falls below a threshold value.

In a network including a plurality of nodes connected to a media cable, the media cable including first and second power conductors for providing electrical power to a load disposed at one of the nodes, first and second data conductors for transmitting data between the nodes, and an insulative cover extending over the power conductors and the data conductors, a method of controlling transients on the power conductors, comprising:

• electrically coupling a voltage-controlled switch between the first power conductor and the load, the voltage-controlled switch having a static mode of operation, in which a current flow between the power conductor and the load can be maintained static, and a non-conductive state in which mode of operation in which the current flow is substantially prevented;
• applying a voltage to the voltage-controlled switch to cause the voltage-controlled switch to transition from the non-conductive state to the static mode of operation during a transition period;
• controlling the applied voltage to limit a rise time of the current flow during at least a portion of the transition period;
• limiting a peak amplitude of the current flow during the transition period;
• and
• resetting the voltage-controlled switch from the static mode of operation to the non-conductive state.