The effects of irradiation with protons and electrons on 4H-silicon carbide epilayers were investigated. The particle energy was 6.5 and 8.2 MeV. The electronic levels associated with the irradiation-induced defects were analyzed by current-voltage characteristics and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements up to 700 K. In the same temperature range the apparent free carrier concentration was measured by capacitance-voltage characteristics to monitor possible compensation effects due to the deep level associated to the induced defects. Introduction rate, enthalpy and capture cross-section of such deep levels were compared and some conclusions about the nature of the defects were drawn.