Even when one of IGBTs fails in a semiconductor power converter apparatus
in which a plurality of semiconductor elements are connected in parallel,
the remaining IGBT(s) is prevented from failing with a simple circuit
configuration. The semiconductor power converter apparatus includes: a
semiconductor power conversion circuit in which a first IGBT having a
temperature sensing unit and a second IGBT having a current sensing unit
are connected in parallel, for causing the first and second semiconductor
elements to perform switching operations; an overheat protection circuit
for performing overheat protection for the first and second IGBTs based
on temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit of
the first IGBT; and an overcurrent protection circuit for performing
overcurrent protection for the first and second IGBTs based on current
information obtained from the current sensing unit of the second IGBT.