Low current start up including power switch

An electronic circuit configured to charge a supply voltage capacitor, wherein the supply voltage capacitor is intended for providing a supply voltage to a gate of a source-controlled power switch;

• wherein the power switch forms a switched-mode power converter, in conjunction with a power converter network;
• and wherein the drain of the power switch is coupled to a mains voltage;
• wherein the circuit comprises
• a gate interface and a source interface intended for coupling the circuit to the gate and a source of the power switch, respectively;
• a capacitor interface intended for coupling the circuit to the supply voltage capacitor;
• a start-up path arranged to couple the gate interface to the capacitor interface;
• wherein the drain and the gate of the power switch are directly coupled by a pull-up resistor, such that a gate-drain voltage of the power switch corresponds to a voltage drop at the pull-up resistor;
• wherein the start-up path comprises a Zener diode with a pre-determined breakdown voltage;
• wherein the pre-determined breakdown voltage is equal to or greater than a threshold voltage of the power switch;
• wherein during start-up the Zener diode, the pull-up resistor and the supply voltage capacitor are arranged in series with the mains voltage, such that a voltage at the gate interface is at or above the threshold voltage for putting the power switch in on-state, and such that a charging current for charging the supply voltage capacitor flows through the pullup-resistor and the Zener diode;
• and
• a charging path arranged to couple the source interface to the capacitor interface;
• wherein the charging path is configured to provide a charging current to the capacitor interface via the power switch, when the power switch is in on-state.