Abstract: A circuit for a phase connection of an inverter includes upper and lower bridge halves and respectively associated upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half has an outer switch and an inner switch connected in series. Each bridge segment has a diode and the inner switch of the associated bridge half connected in series. An output of the circuit is respectively connected to upper and lower potentials through the outer switches and is further connected to a center potential applied between the upper and lower potentials through each of the upper and lower bridge segments. Each bridge half further has a parallel power switch. The parallel switch of each bridge half is connected in parallel to the series-connected outer and inner switches of the bridge half. The output of the circuit is further respectively connected to the upper and lower potentials through the parallel switches.