Apparatus for Driving a Switching Device and Method of Using the Same

This publication describes apparatuses and methods for driving a switching device and providing for the fast start-up of the switching device. In an aspect, the apparatus includes a driver circuit and a starter circuit. The driver circuit for applying control signals to a control terminal of the switching device when activated. The switching device is activatable to drive a load in an operating mode when a control signal above a threshold voltage is applied to the control terminal. The starter circuit is coupled to the control terminal and includes an energy store and a switch operable to discharge the energy store to deliver a start-up voltage above the threshold to the control terminal. As such, the switching device can be activated during a delay period before the driver circuit can generate a control signal above the threshold voltage after being activated.