Semiconductor element drive circuit

A drive circuit for driving a voltage-driven semiconductor element according to an input signal, the drive circuit comprising:

• an output stage including a series circuit of two output transistors, a node between the two output transistors being coupled to a control terminal of the semiconductor element, one of the two output transistors being turned on when the input signal indicates that the semiconductor element is driven;
• a clamp circuit configured to clamp a potential of the control terminal of the semiconductor element to a predetermined level enough to drive the semiconductor element when the one of two output transistors is turned on;
• a comparison circuit configured to compare a voltage of a power supply of the drive circuit with a threshold value;
• and
• a clamp control circuit configured to disable the clamp circuit when the comparison circuit determines that the power supply voltage is less than the threshold value.