Patent ID: 7362148

Claim:
A control device for controlling a load drive semiconductor element for driving a load, the load drive semiconductor element having a control terminal and being connected in series with the load, the load drive semiconductor element and the load being interposed between a power supply terminal and a ground terminal, the device comprising: a first series circuit including a first switch and a second switch, the first series circuit being interposed between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal and being connected to the control terminal at a connection point between the first switch and the second switch; a drive control circuit which changes a voltage of the control terminal of the load drive semiconductor element by selectively turning on one of the first switch and the second switch; a second series circuit including a third switch and a resistor and interposed between one of the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, and the connection point between the first switch and the second switch; and a test control circuit, which provides one of a first signal and a second signal to the third switch, wherein the load drive semiconductor element is energized based on the voltage of the control terminal, and the third switch is turned on while receiving the first signal and turned off while receiving the second signal.