An inverter (100) comprises first and second input terminals (102,104), an
inverter output terminal (106), a series arrangement of a first inverter
transistor (110) and a second inverter transistor (120), a driver circuit
(130), a primary current sensing circuit (150,154,156), and an auxiliary
current sensing circuit (160). Primary current sensing circuit
(150,154,156) is coupled between second inverter transistor (120) and a
current-sense input (132) of driver circuit (130). Auxiliary current
sensing circuit (160) is coupled between second inverter transistor (120)
and a frequency control input (134) of driver circuit (130). During
operation, if the current flow through inverter transistors (110,120)
exceeds a predetermined peak limit, auxiliary current sensing circuit
(160) provides an auxiliary signal to frequency control input (134) of
driver circuit (130), thereby increasing a drive frequency at which
driver circuit (130) commutates inverter transistors (110,120). The
increase in the drive frequency reduces the peak current flow through
inverter transistors (110,120), thereby protecting inverter transistors
(110,120) from excessive power dissipation and potentially destructive
heating.