Semiconductor switch drive circuit with transfer restricting circuitry

A semiconductor switch drive circuit comprising:

• connection switching circuitry electrically connected between a drive power source and a semiconductor switch, and configured to switch a connection state of the semiconductor switch;
• a first capacitor electrically connected between the drive power source and the connection switching circuitry, and configured to be charged by the drive power source, and to generate a positive voltage to set the semiconductor switch to an ON state;
• a second capacitor electrically connected in parallel with the first capacitor with respect to the drive power source, and configured to be charged by the drive power source;
• and
• a third capacitor electrically connected between the second capacitor and the connection switching circuitry, and configured to be charged by the second capacitor, and to generate a negative voltage to set the semiconductor switch to an OFF state,
• wherein the connection switching circuitry is configured to alternately switch between:
• a first connection state forming a positive voltage application closed circuit configured to apply the positive voltage to a control terminal of the semiconductor switch by an electrical connection between a positive terminal of the first capacitor and the control terminal of the semiconductor switch;
• and
• a second connection state forming a negative voltage application closed circuit configured to apply the negative voltage to the control terminal of the semiconductor switch by an electrical connection between a negative terminal of the third capacitor and the control terminal of the semiconductor switch, and
• wherein the semiconductor switch drive circuit further comprises transfer restricting circuitry connected between the first capacitor and an input terminal of the semiconductor switch, wherein the transfer restricting circuitry is configured to supply the positive voltage output from the first capacitor, to the control terminal of the semiconductor switch, by suppressing a supply of the positive voltage to the second capacitor and to the input terminal of the semiconductor switch.