A level shifter has at least one of either a pull up or a pull down circuit. The circuit is made of electronic components with reliability limits less than a maximum signal level output by the level shifter. The level shifter also has a timing circuit coupled to at least on of either the pull up or pull down circuit. The timing circuit controls a time of application of an input signal to at least one of either the pull up or pull down circuit preventing a terminal to terminal signal level experienced by the electronic components exceeding the reliability limits.