A surge protection circuit includes a DC trigger circuit that generates a trigger signal when a surge pulse occurs, and a surge protection device, coupled to the DC trigger circuit, that generates a clamp voltage as an output voltage of the surge protection circuit and conducts surge currents to ground in response to the trigger signal. A feedback circuit is provided between the surge protection device and the DC trigger circuit. The feedback circuit lowers the clamp voltage so that it does not exceed a failure voltage of the surge protection device.