In an electric motor drive apparatus capable of reliably preventing
adverse effects on an electric motor, when a control force detected by a
torque sensor exceeds a predetermined value, a temperature storing unit
stores a temperature detected by a thermistor at that time, and a
deviation calculating unit calculates a deviation between the next
temperature detected by the thermistor and the temperature stored in the
temperature storing unit. When the calculated deviation exceeds a
predetermined value, a current limit decision unit sends a limit signal
to a current limiting unit. Upon receipt of the limit signal, the current
limiting unit gradually decreases the upper limit value of current
flowing in the electric motor at a predetermined time interval.