A subsystem is configured to apply a voltage source to a gated circuit domain in a manner that limits in-rush current and affords minimal time delay. A control signal turns on a wake-up switch that connects the voltage source to the domain. The equivalent series resistance of the wake-up switch has a magnitude that limits the transient charge current to the gated domain. A digital control circuit monitors the resulting rising domain voltage and determines when the domain voltage reaches operating level, at which point additional transient current will be minimal. The control circuit then activates a primary switch that connects the voltage source to the domain through a series resistance of negligible magnitude. An adjustment element provides the option to permanently set a control signal that marginally reduces the time at which the control circuit activates the primary switch to compensate for variations in circuit parameters.