AC-AC converter with reduced inductive loss and switching loss

An AC-AC converter for receiving power from first and second AC input conductors and supplying power to first and second output conductors, comprising:

• a first semiconductor switch series circuit wherein first semiconductor switches, to each of which a diode is connected in anti-parallel, are connected in series;
• a second semiconductor switch series circuit wherein second semiconductor switches, to each of which a diode is connected in anti-parallel, are connected in series;
• a capacitor series circuit wherein capacitors are connected in series, the capacitor series circuit being connected in parallel with the first and second semiconductor switch series circuits;
• a first inductor connected between the first AC input conductor and a series connection point inside the first semiconductor switch series circuit;
• a first bidirectional switch connected directly to the first AC input conductor and directly to a series connection point inside the second semiconductor switch series circuit;
• a second bidirectional switch connected between a series connection point inside the capacitor series circuit and the series connection point inside the second semiconductor switch series circuit;
• and
• a second inductor connected between the series connection point inside the second semiconductor switch series circuit and the first AC output conductor,
• wherein the series connection point inside the capacitor series circuit is connected to the second AC input conductor and to the second AC output conductor.