A system and method include a controller that reduces power dissipated by a switch, such as a source-controlled field effect transistor, when an estimated amount of power dissipated by the switch exceeds a predetermined threshold. Reducing the power dissipated by the switch prevents damage to the switch due to overheating. The controller determines the estimated amount of power dissipated by the switch using actual drain-to-source current and drain voltage data. In at least one embodiment, the controller includes a fail-safe, estimated power dissipation determination path that activates when the drain voltage data fails a reliability test. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the controller includes a model of thermal characteristics of the switch. In at least one embodiment, the controller utilizes real-time estimated power dissipation by the switch and the model to determine when the estimated power dissipated by the switch exceeds a power dissipation protection threshold.