Disclosed is a circuit for detecting the presence of an inductive load. The circuit uses a voltage ringing detector to detect a voltage ringing signal across the inductive load and a signal generator for generating a signal indicating the presence of the inductive load upon detection of the ringing signal. The circuit may be used in a dimmer circuit for controlling the load. The circuit may be used as a load detector for a universal dimmer or may be used in a protection circuit for circuits not designed to control inductive loads.