Converter module for a multilevel converter , comprising an energy store connected in parallel with a series circuit of a first and a second semiconductor switching unit , wherein at least one of the semiconductor switching units has a bidirectional switch that is a semiconductor switch having a blocking capability both in the forward and reverse directions, characterized by a switch-on unit connected in parallel with the bidirectional switch , by means of which a switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated from a voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the switch-on voltage can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the switch-on unit comprises a deactivation switch , by means of which the switch-on unit can be deactivated, wherein the switch-on unit comprises - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point , - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , wherein the first and second divider branches respectively comprise at least one resistance element that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch a switch-on unit connected in parallel with the bidirectional switch , by means of which a switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated from a voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the switch-on voltage can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the switch-on unit comprises a deactivation switch , by means of which the switch-on unit can be deactivated, wherein the switch-on unit comprises - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point , - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , wherein the first and second divider branches respectively comprise at least one resistance element that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch - a first divider branch between a first connection of the bidirectional switch and a central potential point , - a second divider branch between a second connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , and - a control branch between a control connection of the bidirectional switch and the central potential point , wherein the first and second divider branches respectively comprise at least one resistance element that are dimensioned in such a way that the switch-on voltage for switching on the bidirectional switch can be generated via voltage division of the voltage dropped across the bidirectional switch , wherein the deactivation switch is arranged in the first or second divider branch <EOS>