A discharge device and DC power supply system for preventing erroneous
operation of a series regulator. The discharge circuit includes a voltage
comparison circuit for comparing input power supply voltage and output
power supply voltage of the series regulator. The voltage comparison
circuit includes first and second transistors. The collector terminal of
the second transistor is connected to the drain terminal of a fourth
transistor and to the gate terminal of a fifth transistor. The fifth
transistor has a drain terminal, which is connected to the output
terminal of the series regulator, and a source terminal, which is
grounded. Third and fourth transistors operate when the input power
supply voltage is greater than the activation voltage. The drain terminal
of the fourth transistor is grounded via a resistor, and the voltage of
the fourth transistor is supplied to the gate terminal of the fifth
transistor.