Method and control circuit for controlling a power semiconductor component

A control circuit for controlling a power semiconductor component, comprising:

• means for producing a control signal (Ucin) for controlling the component;
• means for forming a second control signal (Ucout) at the potential of controlled component from the control signal (Ucin), wherein the second control signal has logic high and logic low levels which are equal to first and second supply voltages, respectively;
• means for measuring a current flowing through the component;
• means for comparing the measured current with a set limit;
• means for providing a fault signal (Ufault) having a logical state based on comparing the measured current and the set limit;
• means for producing a component control signal (Uave) from the fault signal (Ufault) and the second control signal (Ucout) such that whenever a fault is indicated, the component control signal has an amplitude between the high and low power supply voltages, and otherwise the amplitude of the component control signal (Uave) is equal to the second control signal (Ucout);
• and
• means for controlling the component with the component control signal (Uave).