Two-pole submodule for series connection in a converter in the high-voltage range comprising - a first energy store, - a first semiconductor series circuit comprising a first and a second power semiconductor switching unit which can be turned on and off, said first semiconductor series circuit being connected in parallel with the first energy store, - a first connecting terminal, which is connected to the potential point between the first and second power semiconductor switching units (6, 7), - a second energy store, which is arranged in series with the first energy store, - a second semiconductor series circuit comprising a third and fourth power semiconductor switching unit which can be turned on and off, said second semiconductor series circuit being arranged in parallel with the second energy store, and - a second connecting terminal, which is connected to the potential point between the third and fourth power semiconductor units, characterized by - a connection switching unit, which is arranged between the first semiconductor series circuit and the second semiconductor series circuit, - a first connection branch, which comprises a first connection branch diode and connects the potential point between the connection switching unit and the second power semiconductor switching unit to the potential point between the energy stores (3, 4), - a second connection branch, which comprises a second connection branch diode and connects the potential point between the connection switching unit and the third power semiconductor switching unit to the potential point between the energy store units (3, 4), wherein the first connection branch diode and the second connection branch diode are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another. - a first energy store, - a first semiconductor series circuit comprising a first and a second power semiconductor switching unit which can be turned on and off, said first semiconductor series circuit being connected in parallel with the first energy store, - a first connecting terminal, which is connected to the potential point between the first and second power semiconductor switching units (6, 7), - a second energy store, which is arranged in series with the first energy store, - a second semiconductor series circuit comprising a third and fourth power semiconductor switching unit which can be turned on and off, said second semiconductor series circuit being arranged in parallel with the second energy store, and - a second connecting terminal, which is connected to the potential point between the third and fourth power semiconductor units, - a connection switching unit, which is arranged between the first semiconductor series circuit and the second semiconductor series circuit, - a first connection branch, which comprises a first connection branch diode and connects the potential point between the connection switching unit and the second power semiconductor switching unit to the potential point between the energy stores (3, 4), - a second connection branch, which comprises a second connection branch diode and connects the potential point between the connection switching unit and the third power semiconductor switching unit to the potential point between the energy store units (3, 4), wherein the first connection branch diode and the second connection branch diode are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another.