Semiconductor switch control device

A semiconductor switch control device comprising:

• a semiconductor switch module provided between a power supply and a load and configured to conduct or block a current flowing between the power supply and the load;
• a precharge circuit that controls the semiconductor switch module, and allows a constant precharge current to flow and prevents an inrush current;
• and
• a controller configured to control the semiconductor switch module, wherein
• the semiconductor switch module includes
• a forward switch having a body diode arranged in a forward direction which is a direction in which the current flows, and
• a backward switch arranged adjacent to the forward switch and having a body diode arranged in a direction opposite to the direction in which the current flows,
• in the forward switch and the backward switch, each of which includes a source terminal and a drain terminal, the source terminals are connected in series to each other, one drain terminal is connected to the power supply and the other drain terminal is connected to the load, or the drain terminals are connected in series to each other, one source terminal is connected to the power supply and the other source terminal is connected to the load,
• the precharge circuit applies a precharge voltage to the backward switch to allow a constant precharge current to flow, the precharge voltage is smaller than a voltage after a diagnostic period for diagnosing abnormality of the semiconductor switch module, and
• in a case where precharge control is performed by the precharge circuit, the controller determines an overheating of the semiconductor switch module from a forward voltage of the body diode of the forward switch and a threshold value that determines a temperature of the body diode of the forward switch.