Patent ID: 8605471

Claim:
A power conversion device, comprising: an inverter that converts a DC current supplied from a DC power source to an AC current by engaging first switching elements, which constitute an upper arm, and second switching elements, which constitute a lower arm, in switching operation; a control unit that includes a signal generation unit that generates a switching signal carrying a command for execution of the switching operation in correspondence to each of the first switching elements constituting the upper arm and the second switching elements constituting the lower arm, and a plurality of protection circuits that outputs the switching signal having been input thereto as a first control signal when a protective operation is not executed, and outputs a second control signal for setting the first and second switching elements either in a cut-off state or in an electrically continuous state in place of the switching signal having been input thereto when the protective operation is executed; and a drive unit that individually drives the first switching elements and the second switching elements according to the first or second control signal, wherein: the plurality of protection circuits are disposed in series on a control signal line extending between the signal generation unit and the drive unit.