Electrophoretic display units (1) comprising pixels (11) situated between common electrodes (6) and pixel electrodes (5) need, for shortening the total image update times, increased driving voltages across the pixels (11) which endanger transistors (12) coupled to the pixel electrodes (5).These increased driving voltage (V6) to the common electrode (6). To protect the transistors (12) against these increased driving voltages, a setting signal (S1, S2) is supplied to the pixel electrode (5) via the transistor (12) for reducing a voltage across the pixel (11) resulting from a transition in the alternating voltage signal (V6). During driving frame periods (Fd) data pulses (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6) are supplied, and during setting frame periods (Fs), the setting signals (S1, S2) are supplied.