<p>This power converter is provided with: an inverter that converts DC power into AC power and is equipped with a plurality of semiconductor switching elements configuring an upper and a lower arm; a gate driver for outputting to the inverter a gate signal for driving the gates of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements; a drive control unit for supplying the gate driver with a switching control signal for the gate driver to output a gate signal; a first abnormality detector for detecting a DC power overvoltage, an AC power overvoltage, and the temperature of the upper and the lower arm; and a second abnormality detector for detecting an abnormality in the plurality of semiconductor switching elements in the upper and the lower arm. Therein, the drive control unit is provided with a first protective circuit unit for implementing a protective operation when an abnormality is detected by the first abnormality detector, and a second protective circuit unit for implementing a protective operation when an abnormality is detected by the second abnormality detector.</p>
