Patent ID: 7782643

Claim:
A matrix converter apparatus for directly connecting respective phases of an alternating current power source and respective phases of an output side by means of respective bidirectional switches having a self arc suppression function, and controlled by a PWM control based on an output voltage instruction and outputting an arbitrary direct current or alternating current voltage, the matrix converter apparatus comprising: respective reactors, each reactor constituted by one winding, connected between the respective phases of the alternating current power source and the bidirectional switches; a first capacitor group constituted by respective capacitors for respectively connecting between U-phase and V-phase, V-phase and W-phase and W-phase and U-phase; U-phase, V-phase and W-phase being the phases of an output side directly connected by the bidirectional switches; a circuit of stepping up an output voltage of the matrix converter apparatus by short-circuiting respective terminals connected to the bidirectional switches associated with two or more of the reactors by closing the directional switches, and thereafter opening the bidirectional switches; and a circuit for ensuring respective conduction paths of currents flowing in the respective reactors which have been short-circuited when the terminals are switched from being short-circuited to being opened.