This paper presents a new, simple and low cost method for fast short circuit protection of IGBT modules. The principle of the method is to measure the voltage across the inductance between the power-emitter and the auxiliary-emitter. Moreover, by modulating the gate-signal, the new method reduces the gate emitter voltage Vge in order to limit the short circuit current and allows the semiconductor to be operated in the safe operation area. The new concept has been implemented in a gate unit, which is controlled by an FPGA. The performance of the gate unit has been verified in a buck converter with an IGBT module FF1400R12IP4 of 1400 A/1200 V.