POWER CONVERSION DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

Provided is a power conversion device that can be stably operated even when a wide-bandgap semiconductor element is operated at a high temperature. Further provided is a control method for the power conversion device. This power conversion device is provided with: a rectifier that converts alternating-current power to direct-current power; an intermediate circuit that smooths the direct-current power converted by the rectifier; an inverter that converts the direct-current power smoothed by the intermediate circuit into alternating-current power; a driving circuit that drives the inverter; a control unit that controls the driving circuit; a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the inverter; and a sealing material that seals at least the inverter. The control unit integrates the operation time that the power conversion device continues to operate at a temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and, on the basis of the relationship between the integrated operation time, the detected temperature, and the permitted operation time of the power conversion device, determines whether to suppress the output of the power conversion device or to stop the operation of power conversion device.