SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR SELF-ARC-EXTINGUISHING SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT

摘要

A short-circuit protection circuit for a self-arc-extinguishing semiconductor element (302) includes a first protection circuit (304) and a second protection circuit (101). The first protection circuit (304) is configured such that, in the cases where it is detected that an overcurrent is flowing between first and second main electrodes (802, 803) of the self-arc-extinguishing semiconductor element (302), a voltage between a control electrode (801) and the first main electrode (802) is reduced. The second protection circuit (101) is configured so as to detect a current flowing in wiring (411) for supplying a drive voltage, to determine, on the basis of the current thus detected, whether the first protection circuit (304) is in an operation state, and to change the drive voltage so as to turn off the self-arc-extinguishing semiconductor element (302) in the cases where the first protection circuit (304) is in the operation state.