A system and a method for detecting an operational fault condition in a
power supply are provided. The power supply has a controller operably
coupled to first and second switches. The first and second switches are
connected in series between a voltage source and a ground node, wherein a
first electrical node is electrically coupled between the first and
second switches. The first electrical node is further coupled to a first
end of an inductor. The controller is configured to induce the first and
second switches to apply voltage pulses to the first electrical node. The
method includes monitoring a voltage at the first electrical node to
determine a number of voltage pulses being applied to the first
electrical node over a predetermined time interval. The method further
includes determining when a first operational fault condition has
occurred when the number of voltage pulses being applied to the first
electrical node over the predetermined time interval is less than or
equal to a predetermined number of voltage pulses.