A power converter includes a shunt resistor constituted by a shunt resistance
and
a plurality of main electrodes made of a sheet-like resistive material. In the
shunt resistor, plates lower in volume electric resistivity than the resistive
material, higher in thermal conductivity than the resistive material and thicker
in thickness than the resistive material are fixedly attached by solder, to the
side surfaces of the main electrodes opposite to the side surfaces with which the
main electrodes are fixedly attached to an insulating layer. At least one plate
main electrode for electrically connecting with main circuit wiring is provided
in each of the plates. At least one constricted portion is formed between each
of the plate main electrodes and the shunt resistance. Plate detection electrodes
for detecting a voltage between the opposite ends of the shunt resistance is provided
on the plates near the shunt resistance portion.