A protection circuit includes a pre-charge rectifying circuit, a pre-charge resistor, a varistor, a switch, a main rectifying circuit, a bulk capacitor, and a control circuit. The pre-charge rectifying circuit is connected with an AC power source. The pre-charge resistor and the varistor are connected between the pre-charge rectifying circuit and the switch. The switch is further connected with a first node. The main rectifying circuit is connected between the AC power source and the first node. The bulk capacitor and the control circuit are connected between the first node and a ground terminal. The control circuit generates a first control signal to control the switch. The control circuit further generates a control signal set to control the main rectifying circuit.