Semiconductor device

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element in a frame body. The semiconductor element includes a first electrode electrically connected to an electrode block provided on a first side of the semiconductor element. A connection element, which in some embodiments may be a portion of the electrode block, connects the electrode block to the frame body. The semiconductor element is sealed within an enclosure formed at least in part by the frame body, the connection element, and the electrode block. The connection element includes a fragile portion which has a resistance to increases in pressure or temperature that is less than other portions of the connection element. That is, in general, the fragile portion will fail before other portions of the connection element when pressure or temperature increases, which may occur when, for example, the semiconductor element breaks down.