An alternating current power electronic converter includes an alternating current chopper circuit including two pairs of switches, each switch of a pair connected in series and the two pairs of switches connected in parallel. Each switch of a pair is a uni-directional switch. The uni-directional switches of each pair are arranged in opposing directions, and the uni-directional switches of one pair of switches are arranged in an opposing configuration to the uni-directional switches of the other pair of switches. The circuit comprises a bridge connection between switches of each pair of switches. A controller is configured to control a sequence of operation of the switches, providing an overlap period whenever one of the switches of a pair changes from open to closed and the other switch of the pair changes from closed to open. During the overlap period the switch that is moving from closed to open remains closed.