Insulated gate semiconductor device

Abstract

In order to prevent a malfunction caused by an electrical noise and limit an excessive main current at a high speed while cutting off the same to a value close to zero, the main current is regulated by an IGBT (1) which is connected with a load. A part of this main current is shunted to another IGBT (2). The as-shunted current flows through a resistor (3), to be converted to a voltage across the resistor (3). When the main current is excessively increased by shorting of the load or the like, this voltage exceeds a prescribed value so that a transistor (5) and a thyristor (7) enter conducting states. Consequently, a voltage across a gate (G) and an emitter (E) of the IGBT (1) is so reduced as to cut off the main current. The transistor (5) prevents the main current from excessive increase since the same has a high speed of response, while the thyristor (7) cuts off the main current to zero since the same has lower resistance in conduction.