Patent ID: 7777433

Claim:
A power converter which converts power output from a power supply source to a prescribed power and outputs the converted power to a power supply destination, the power converter comprising: a module section; and a drive section for operating the module section; the module section comprises a plurality of semiconductor modules; the plurality of semiconductor modules have semiconductor elements for power conversion; corresponding semiconductor elements are electrically connected in parallel to form a parallel circuit; the parallel circuit is electrically connected between the power supply source and the power supply destination; the drive section comprises a drive circuit, a first signal wire and a second signal wire; the drive circuit is provided so as to correspond to a first semiconductor element which is one of the semiconductor elements constituting the parallel circuit; wherein the drive circuit outputs drive signals for operating the first semiconductor element; so that the first semiconductor element operates by receiving the drive signals output from the drive circuit; the first signal wire connects to the drive circuit and transmits the drive signals to the first semiconductor element from the drive circuit; the second signal wire branches from the first signal wire and transmits the drive signals branched from the first signal wire to a second semiconductor element which is another, different semiconductor element constituting the parallel circuit; and the second semiconductor element receives the branched drive signals and operates in the same manner as the first semiconductor element.