an electrostatic discharge power clamp circuit including a rc - delay element coupled to a plurality of serialized inverter elements with a power clamp element and an esd - triggered keeper device coupled to the plurality of inverters . during negative mode esd events , the esd - triggered keeper device is activated and assists the power clamp element to pull up and strongly conduct current to protect the circuit . additionally , a method of esd protection in a circuit is provided . the method includes coupling a rc - delay element to an input of a plurality of serialized inverter elements , coupling an output of the plurality of serialized inverters with an esd - triggered keeper device and a power clamp element , triggering the esd - triggered keeper device to turn on during negative esd events and conducting current by the power clamp element with assistance of the esd - triggered keeper device to protect the circuit as a result of negative esd events .