A method for thermal protection of a frequency converter and a frequency converter includes means for controlling the output current of the frequency converter. The method includes the steps of determining predetermined data points which define a thermal current limit for a semiconductor component of the frequency converter at specific temperatures at plural switching frequencies, and determining predetermined data points which define a thermal current limit for the semiconductor component at specific temperatures at a zero converter output frequency. The method also includes determining the highest allowable thermal current as a function of a measured temperature, a determined switching frequency, and a determined output frequency based on the defined data points, and limiting the output current of the frequency converter to the determined highest allowable thermal current.