A protection circuit for an automotive wiring harness includes an input node receiving a sensing signal indicating intensity of current in a conductor, an output node emitting a current control output signal to reduce the current and/or emitting a warning signal indicating the current intensity having reached a limit value. Signal processing circuitry coupled to the input node compares the current intensity with a reference value, and produces a comparison signal indicating whether the current intensity exceeds the reference value. A counting circuitry driven by the comparison signal counts in a first count direction as a result of the comparison signal indicating that the current intensity exceeds the reference value. Latching circuitry coupled to the counter circuitry generates the output signal at the output node as a result of the count value of the counter circuitry reaching a limit value.