A switching branch for a three-level rectifier, comprising: a first diode (D1; D11, D12, D13) and a first semiconductor switch (S1; S11, S12, S13) connected in series between a positive direct voltage pole (Udc+) and a neutral direct voltage pole; a second diode (D2; D21, D22, D23) and a second semiconductor switch (S2; S21, S22, S23) connected in series between a negative direct voltage pole (Udc-) and a neutral direct voltage pole; and a thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) and a third diode (D3, D31, D32, D33) connected in series between a connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and a connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch, wherein a connection point between the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) and the third diode (D3, D31, D32, D33) is connected to an alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein the first diode (D1; D11, D12, D13) and the first semiconductor switch (S1; S11, S12, S13) reside in a first switching branch-specific semiconductor module; and the second diode (D2; D21, D22, D23) and the second semiconductor switch (S2; S21, S22, S23) reside in a second switching branch-specific semiconductor module, and wherein either the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) is connected between the connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch; and the third diode (D3; D31, D32, D33) is connected between the connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein an anode of the thyristor is connected to a cathode of the third diode, or the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) is connected between the connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch; and the third diode (D3; D31, D32, D33) is connected between the connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein a cathode of the thyristor is connected to an anode of the third diode. a first diode (D1; D11, D12, D13) and a first semiconductor switch (S1; S11, S12, S13) connected in series between a positive direct voltage pole (Udc+) and a neutral direct voltage pole; a second diode (D2; D21, D22, D23) and a second semiconductor switch (S2; S21, S22, S23) connected in series between a negative direct voltage pole (Udc-) and a neutral direct voltage pole; and a thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) and a third diode (D3, D31, D32, D33) connected in series between a connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and a connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch, wherein a connection point between the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) and the third diode (D3, D31, D32, D33) is connected to an alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein the first diode (D1; D11, D12, D13) and the first semiconductor switch (S1; S11, S12, S13) reside in a first switching branch-specific semiconductor module; and the second diode (D2; D21, D22, D23) and the second semiconductor switch (S2; S21, S22, S23) reside in a second switching branch-specific semiconductor module, and wherein either the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) is connected between the connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch; and the third diode (D3; D31, D32, D33) is connected between the connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein an anode of the thyristor is connected to a cathode of the third diode, or the thyristor (T; T1, T2, T3) is connected between the connection point between the second diode and the second semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch; and the third diode (D3; D31, D32, D33) is connected between the connection point between the first diode and the first semiconductor switch and the alternating voltage pole (AC; AC1, AC2, AC3) of the switching branch, wherein a cathode of the thyristor is connected to an anode of the third diode.