Is it possible to add short circuit protection to a boost converter?
My initial instinct was no, as the switch does not directly control the input to the inductor and this means the minimum output is Vin or so.
But are there ways to protect such a converter?
Best Answer
Here's a linear tech app note http://cds.linear.com/docs/Design%20Note/dn154f.pdf
If you're not using much current, sometimes a simple solution is to just use a thermal fuse in front of the converter, or even a simple lm317 type current limiter. The second will give you a voltage drop, which may or may not be a problem. Another easy solution is a good current limited voltage regulator in front of the boost converter and dedicated only to the boost converter, so if there is a short it doesn't bring the rest of your rail down.