a phase converter that converts single phase ac electric power to balanced three phase ac power . two input terminals are connectable to a single phase ac power source , and connect directly to two output terminals of the converter . the phase converter has a storage capacitor , a charging circuit for controlled charging the storage capacitor and an output circuit for controlled discharge of the storage capacitor to provide single phase ac power to a third output terminal . the charging circuit controls input to the storage capacitor to provide a sinusoidal input current and to step up the voltage to the storage capacitor . the output circuit provides output power to the third output terminal of a predetermined phase and amplitude , relative to the other two output terminals , to result in balanced three phase ac power at the three output terminals .