An active filter reduces the common mode current in the ground wire of a
PWM controlled motor drive circuit. The active filter is, in part,
integrated into an integrated circuit chip and contains a buffer amplifier
which drives two junction type or MOSFET transistors linearly to divert
common mode current from a ground wire and through the transistors. The
transistors are connected between positive and negative d-c busses which
supply d-c power to a PWM inventor which drives an a-c motor, producing
the common mode ground current in its grounded frame. A current
transformer monitors the common mode current and its output is coupled to
the input of the buffer amplifier to control the transistors. An internal
power supply for the amplifiers is formed at the nodes between two current
sources and two zener diodes which are connected between the d-c bus
conductors. Headroom control circuits are disclosed to insure sufficient
headroom voltage for each of the transistors under all input a-c voltage
conditions.