Power conversion device

A power conversion device comprising:

• a converter circuit configured to convert AC electric power output from an AC power source into DC power;
• an inverter circuit including a plurality of switching elements, and configured to convert the DC power into AC power to supply the AC power to a load;
• a capacitor connected in parallel to each of the converter circuit and the inverter circuit between the converter circuit and the inverter circuit, the capacitor allowing variation of an output voltage from the converter circuit, the capacitor absorbing variation of an output voltage from the inverter circuit due to a switching operation;
• an overvoltage protection circuit including a resistor and a semiconductor element connected in series to each other, the overvoltage protection circuit being connected in parallel to the capacitor, the overvoltage protection circuit being configured to protect the inverter circuit from an overvoltage applied to the inverter circuit;
• and
• a control circuit configured to control the inverter circuit and the overvoltage protection circuit.