TPS40200　SS pin Voltage

Hi,

Under operationg condition,　TPS40200 SS capacitor is charged from Vss (as see in D/S page 17 Figure29),

and Vss is sourced from the internal regulator and Vss max voltage is clamped up to 8V.

Regarding this, let me ask following questions,

1. Is the clamped voltage (8V)  typical value?

    (the intent of this question, SS capacitor voltage reached to 9V in one of the customer's evaluation board.

     I'd like to know that the above is  the possible condition or not  under normal operation.)

2. the absolute max voltage of SS pin (–0.3 to 9.0V) is for an externally-applied voltage , right ?

3. the internal regulator output (supply Vss) is also used as the power supply for other internal block of TPS40200 ? 

Thanks,

Go