Semiconductor device

A semiconductor device comprising:

• a voltage-control type semiconductor element configured to drive a load;
• and
• an element drive unit to which a control signal for a control terminal of the voltage-control type semiconductor element is input and configured to control the control terminal of the voltage-control type semiconductor element using the control signal, the element drive unit including a control circuit that is driven using the control signal as a power supply,
• wherein the element drive unit includes:
• an input terminal to which the control signal is input and a low potential side terminal to which a low potential side terminal of the voltage-control type semiconductor element is connected;
• a first voltage divider circuit that is connected between the input terminal and the low potential side terminal and is configured such that a first divided voltage is not greater than a set voltage for protecting the voltage-control type semiconductor element and the control circuit;
• a semiconductor switching element configured to control a voltage dividing operation performed by the first voltage divider circuit;
• and
• a second voltage divider circuit configured to, when a voltage that exceeds the set voltage is input to the input terminal, output a second divided voltage to a control terminal of the semiconductor switching element, the second divided voltage making the semiconductor switching element conductive, and
• the first divided voltage is supplied to the control terminal of the voltage-control type semiconductor element and the control circuit.