Patent ID: 7573687

Claim:
A power semiconductor device comprising: a power semiconductor element having a gate electrode, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the power semiconductor element allowing a first electric current to flow from the first electrode to the second electrode in accordance with an electrical signal applied to the gate electrode; a protection circuit that includes a plurality of protection elements connected in series between the gate electrode and the second electrode of the power semiconductor element, the protection circuit limiting a voltage between the gate electrode and the second electrode when an abnormal voltage is applied to the gate electrode; a first external terminal connected to the gate electrode; a second external terminal connected to the first electrode; a third external terminal connected to the second electrode; a fourth external terminal available to separately inspect the plurality of protection elements of the protection circuit; and an electrical conductor electrically connecting the fourth external terminal to a node between a first one of the plurality of protection elements and a second one of the plurality of protection elements.