Circuit and method for controlling a transistor

A current limit circuit (10,40) for controlling a power transistor (12) has been provided. The current limit circuit (10,40) includes circuitry which is responsive to a voltage appearing across the drain and source electrodes of the power transistor (12) for providing an appropriate voltage at the gate electrode of the power transistor (12) when a load is de-coupled from the power transistor (12). This has the effect of preventing excessive transient current when the load (16) is subsequently coupled to the power transistor (12). Additionally, the current limit circuit (10,40) includes circuitry for limiting the current flowing through the power transistor (12) via a sense circuit (14) when the load (16) is coupled to a the power transistor (12).