A snubber device for a power switch comprising a sensing device coupled in the output circuit of the power switch, the sensing device having a reference input and providing an output indicating if a transient pulse of a magnitude greater than a preset range occurs in the output circuit of the power switch. A further electronic switch is provided having an input coupled to an output of the sensing device and coupled across the power switch, the further electronic switch being turned on by the sensing device in the event the sensing device detects a transient pulse beyond the preset range, thereby completing a shunt circuit across the electronic switch and dissipating the transient pulse.