Apparatus for detecting temperature of switching elements

A temperature detecting apparatus that detects temperature of an object, the apparatus comprising:

• a temperature sensing element that outputs voltage responding to the temperature of the object, the voltage outputted by the temperature sensing element having a predetermined voltage range;
• an element connection terminal capable of connecting the temperature sensing element;
• an overheating detecting circuit that detects overheating of the object, the overheating detecting circuit detecting the overheating based on a comparison between a voltage at the temperature sensing element and an overheating detection threshold being set within the predetermined voltage range;
• an abnormality detecting circuit that detects an abnormality of the temperature sensing element and a wiring of the temperature sensing element, the abnormality detecting circuit detecting an abnormality based on a comparison between the voltage at the temperature sensing element and an abnormality detection threshold being set beyond the predetermined voltage range;
• a disabling circuit that disables the abnormality detecting circuit from detecting an abnormality of the temperature sensing element when the voltage at the temperature sensing element is higher than a disabling threshold being set higher than the overheating detection threshold and the abnormality detection threshold;
• and
• a voltage apply circuit that applies a voltage higher than the disabling threshold to the element connection terminal when the temperature sensing element is not connected to the element connection terminal,
• wherein the overheating detecting circuit, the abnormality detecting circuit and the disabling circuit are integrated into an integrated circuit.