The present invention relates to a rush current limiting circuit in which a series circuit consisting of an inductor and a resistor for detecting a current is connected between a power source and a first semiconductor switch, in which there is provided a second semiconductor switch whose inter-output-terminal voltage is controlled by the voltage across the series circuit consisting of the inductor and the resistor for detecting a current, and in which the inter-output-terminal voltage of the second semiconductor switch controls the inter-control-terminal voltage of the first semiconductor switch so as to limit a current to a load; the present invention relates also to an electric power converter including the rush current limiting circuit.