An inverter includes a DC/DC converter which converts a direct current received from a DC voltage source into an intermediate circuit voltage of an intermediate circuit, a DC/AC converter which converts the intermediate circuit voltage into an AC voltage, and a monitoring unit which monitors capacitors of the intermediate circuit for protection against overvoltages. If an overvoltage occurs at one of the capacitors of the intermediate circuit the overvoltage unit decouples the DC voltage source from the intermediate circuit by actuating the DC/DC converter.