A semiconductor valve type converter for supplying single phase load current at power frequency from an N phase polyphase power system without unbalance of polyphase current or voltage comprises a transformer having KN secondary phase voltages displaced by 180/KN electrical degress (where K is an integer) and a bridge type thyristor network for connecting each secondary phase voltage source alternately to positive and negative network buses. The network buses are connected through a centertapped reactor with the single phase load connected between the reactor tap and the secondary phase voltage sources. A commutating circuit effectively connected across the last thyristor to fire during each positive and negative half cycle of single phase output voltage may be provided if necessary to effect the network reversal of single phase current at each half cycle of power frequency.
A AC power source for welding is configured to receive three phase power and to provide single phase current to a welding load. The power source includes a three phase transformer with three center tapped secondary windings, a center tapped output inductor, and suitably triggered thyristors between the secondaries and the output inductor.
