Is maximum BJT VEBO rating exceeded in this miller effect compensation circuit?
Just add a protection diode between emitter and base. It'll limit the negative base voltage to about 0.7V and might even improve the circuit's performance by discharging the base capacitor at the end of each cycle.







simulate this circuit &ndash; Schematic created using CircuitLab

Edit: You might have to play a little with the other components' values when you add the diode, however. I've added some example values in the diagram above. Note that the base capacitor is way smaller than in your circuit. This makes the capacitor only deliver a short current spike when the transistor switches on or off in order to get it into and out of saturation quickly. For most of the on-time of the transistor, R1 delivers its base current, which makes the transistor not saturate as hard as with the 100nF capacitor, resulting in improved switching performance.

You should simulate it and check the performance however, I just estimated the values. They might be off a bit.