A static converter that includes a power converter circuit having a plurality of interconnected module branches. Each module branch may have one or more electrically series-connected two-pole submodules as switchable voltage sources which each include a capacitor as an energy store and power semiconductors as electronic switching elements. A device for precharging the capacitors is included that has at least one power electronics device for providing an adjustable precharge current. The at least one power electronics device, being supplied with power by an auxiliary supply system and being connected to a converter bridge via a precharge transformer, can be used to achieve a sufficiently high voltage level for the capacitors of the submodules when the converter is started up so as to achieve firstly the minimum voltage for supplying power to the power semiconductors and secondly the minimum voltage for synchronization to the systems.