In a power converter, a driver that drives, according to a control signal, a switching element of a switch circuit for converting input power to output power. The control signal represents how to drive the switching element. A controller outputs the control signal to the driver for controlling the driver. A measuring unit measures a value of input power input to the switch circuit. A protection determining unit determines, based on the measured value of the input power, whether there is a need to protect the power converter. The protection determining unit outputs a stop control signal to at least one of the driver and the controller based on a result of the determination of whether there is a need to protect the power converter. The stop control signal represents whether to forcibly stop drive of the switching element.