A multilevel inverter, comprising: an output circuit section which is formed of a plurality of switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) inserted in series between a positive voltage terminal and a negative voltage terminal, between which a direct current input voltage is given, and has one of nodes between adjacent switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) as an alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow); a bridge section which includes a first reverse blocking type switching element, the emitter of which is connected to a neutral point which generates a voltage intermediate between the respective voltages of the positive voltage terminal and negative voltage terminal, and a second reverse blocking type switching element, the collector of which is connected to the neutral point and the emitter of which is connected to the collector of the first reverse blocking type switching element, and forms current paths, which include the first reverse blocking type switching element and second reverse blocking type switching element, between the neutral point and nodes between adjacent switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) of the output circuit section; control signal generating means which generates control signals which switch the switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d, QR1, QR2) of the output circuit section and bridge section between ON and OFF; and a cut-off means (310, 320) which is configured such that: when a first cut-off command for cutting off the output voltage of the alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow) is input, the cut-off means (310, 320) cuts off a set of the switching element (Q1a) directly connected to the positive voltage terminal, in the output circuit section, and second reverse blocking type switching element, to thereby cut off voltage output from the alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow) in spite of the condition of the control signals, and when a second cut-off command for cutting off the output voltage of the alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow) is input, the cut-off means (310, 320) cuts off a set of the switching element (Q6a) directly connected to the negative voltage terminal, in the output circuit section, and first reverse blocking type switching element to thereby cut off voltage output from the alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow) in spite of the condition of the control signals. an output circuit section which is formed of a plurality of switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) inserted in series between a positive voltage terminal and a negative voltage terminal, between which a direct current input voltage is given, and has one of nodes between adjacent switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) as an alternating current output terminal (Ou, Ov, Ow); a bridge section which includes a first reverse blocking type switching element, the emitter of which is connected to a neutral point which generates a voltage intermediate between the respective voltages of the positive voltage terminal and negative voltage terminal, and a second reverse blocking type switching element, the collector of which is connected to the neutral point and the emitter of which is connected to the collector of the first reverse blocking type switching element, and forms current paths, which include the first reverse blocking type switching element and second reverse blocking type switching element, between the neutral point and nodes between adjacent switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d) of the output circuit section; control signal generating means which generates control signals which switch the switching elements (Q1a-d, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6a-d, QR1, QR2) of the output circuit section and bridge section between ON and OFF; and a cut-off means (310, 320) which is configured such that: