ONE SWITCH MULTI-PHASE MODULATOR

An electrical apparatus, comprises a bridge circuit having a plurality of rectifier legs electrically coupled in parallel. Each of the rectifier legs comprises a first and a second rectifier coupled in series and having an input node therebetween. The electrical apparatus further comprises a switch, having a control input, a power input, and a power output, coupled in parallel with the bridge circuit, and a controller having a control output coupled to the control input of the switch for regulating the opening and closing of the switch. When the bridge/switch element is coupled to the disassociated neutral terminals of a wye wound electrical device, the controller modulates the opening and closing of the switch to provide an current controlled soft start of the device, as well as continued motor drive capability, including acceleration and breaking of the device. When the element is coupled to the disassociated neutral of a multi-phase generator or transformer, the controller modulates the opening and closing of the switch to provide output power regulation. This regulation allows controlled battery utilization and charging in one embodiment.