The invention relates to the controlling of a multi-phase rectifier for adapting the temperature distribution in the rectifier. According to the invention, the phase currents in the individual phases are adjusted on the output-side of the rectifier with a different amplitude. Correspondingly, the respective half bridges in the rectifier are loaded to a differing degree. In this way, an uneven temperature distribution can be compensated in the rectifier. Alternatively, an uneven temperature distribution can also be adjusted in the rectifier in a targeted manner, in order to take further parameters into account.