Reverse-polarity, commonly referred to as reverse battery, occurs when the ground of the device goes to the battery potential, V_GND = V_BAT, and the supply pin goes to ground, V_BB = 0 V. In this case, if the EN pin has a path to the "ground" plane, then the FET turns on to lower the power dissipation through the main channel and prevent current flow through the body diode. Note that the resistor, diode ground network (if there is not a central blocking diode on the supply) must be present for the device to protect itself during a reverse battery event.

For more external protection circuitry information, see Reverse Current Protection. See the fault truth table for more details.