An integrated circuit includes a monitor node adapted to receive a monitored signal. The integrated circuit also includes a multi-purpose node. The integrated circuit is adapted to receive and store a threshold presented at the multi-purpose node during a first time period. The integrated circuit is also adapted to output a fault signal from the multi-purpose node at a time after the predetermined time period. The fault signal is indicative of a relationship between the monitored signal and the threshold. With this arrangement, the multi-purpose node achieves at least two functions.