A major consideration when switching current through inductive loads is protection of the switching power devices from the large voltage transients that occur. Each of the four switches in the LMD18200 have a built-in protection diode to clamp transient voltages exceeding the positive supply or ground to a safe diode voltage drop across the switch.

The reverse recovery characteristics of these diodes, once the transient has subsided, is important. These diodes must come out of conduction quickly and the power switches must be able to conduct the additional reverse recovery current of the diodes. The reverse recovery time of the diodes protecting the sourcing power devices is typically only 70 ns with a reverse recovery current of 1A when tested with a full 6A of forward current through the diode. For the sinking devices the recovery time is typically 100 ns with 4A of reverse current under the same conditions.