Abstract: A driving signal is supplied to the gate of an IGBT through a first switching element. The gate of the IGBT is grounded via a resistor and a second switching element. An output (short circuit detection signal) of an AND gate, to which the driving signal and an output signal of the IGBT are supplied, is supplied to the first switching element via a first delay circuit and supplied to the second switching element via a second delay circuit. The second delay time is larger than the first delay time. In the normal operation, the driving signal is set to an "L" level to instantaneously turn off the IGBT. The output of the AND gate is kept at the "H" level for the turn-off time and is returned to the "L" level after the turn-off operation is completed. The first switching element is turned off when the first delay time has passed after the level of the driving signal is changed. At this time, the IGBT is already turned off.