a current dissipation circuit that dissipates excess current to or from a circuit node when that monitored circuit node experiences abnormal voltage conditions , rather than having that excess current being dissipated through other protected circuitry . the current dissipation circuit may use single well technology , and may even provide reverse voltage protection without necessarily triggering more significant current dissipation . in another embodiment , the current dissipation circuit is provided by a series connection of at least five alternating p - type and n - type regions provided between the monitored circuit node and a current source or sink .