A power converter which converts DC power output from a DC power supply source to a prescribed three-phase AC power and outputs the AC power to a power supply destination (MST, M/G), the power converter comprising: a module section (PM1, PM2) comprising a first power module and a second power module separate from said first power module, each power module (PM1, PM2) comprising a plurality of series connections of semiconductor elements for power conversion; wherein for a phase, two corresponding series connections of semiconductor elements (MU1, MU3; MU2, MU4;...) are electrically connected in parallel to form a parallel circuit; the parallel circuits being electrically connected between the power supply source and the respective phase of the power supply destination; and a drive section (5, 6, 25, DU1, DU2) for oprating the semiconductor elements in said power modules (PM1, PM2) and comprising a drive circuit, a first drive circuit board mounted to said first power module and carrying said drive circuit, and a second drive circuit board mounted to said second power module; the drive circuit being adapted to generating drive signals (V PU1, V NU1, V PV1, V Nv1, V PW1, V NW1, V PU2, V NU2, V PV2, V NV2, V PW2, V NW2) for said semiconductor elements in said power modules (PM1, PM2), first signal wiring (W13, W16, W18, W21, W25, W27) in said first power module for connecting the first drive circuit board to first semiconductor elements in the first power module and carrying drive signals generated by said drive circuit for said first semiconductor elements, second signal wiring (26, 27) for connecting the first drive circuit board to the second drive circuit board and carrying drive signals generated by said drive circuit for second semiconductor elements in said second power module, and third signal wiring (W13, W16, W18, W21, W25, W27) in said second power module for connecting the second drive circuit board to said second semiconductor elements in the second power module and carrying drive signals for said second semiconductor elements received from said second wiring (26, 27). a module section (PM1, PM2) comprising a first power module and a second power module separate from said first power module, each power module (PM1, PM2) comprising a plurality of series connections of semiconductor elements for power conversion; wherein for a phase, two corresponding series connections of semiconductor elements (MU1, MU3; MU2, MU4;...) are electrically connected in parallel to form a parallel circuit; the parallel circuits being electrically connected between the power supply source and the respective phase of the power supply destination; and a drive section (5, 6, 25, DU1, DU2) for oprating the semiconductor elements in said power modules (PM1, PM2) and comprising a drive circuit, a first drive circuit board mounted to said first power module and carrying said drive circuit, and a second drive circuit board mounted to said second power module; the drive circuit being adapted to generating drive signals (V PU1, V NU1, V PV1, V Nv1, V PW1, V NW1, V PU2, V NU2, V PV2, V NV2, V PW2, V NW2) for said semiconductor elements in said power modules (PM1, PM2), first signal wiring (W13, W16, W18, W21, W25, W27) in said first power module for connecting the first drive circuit board to first semiconductor elements in the first power module and carrying drive signals generated by said drive circuit for said first semiconductor elements, second signal wiring (26, 27) for connecting the first drive circuit board to the second drive circuit board and carrying drive signals generated by said drive circuit for second semiconductor elements in said second power module, and third signal wiring (W13, W16, W18, W21, W25, W27) in said second power module for connecting the second drive circuit board to said second semiconductor elements in the second power module and carrying drive signals for said second semiconductor elements received from said second wiring (26, 27).