Static inverter with controlled semiconductor switches and anti-parallel diodes and with a control device for providing a current well above the rated current in the case of a short circuit in a consumer for quickly blowing a fuse in the circuit of the consumer. Anti-parallel thyristors are connected across the inverter output. The control device upon a short circuit takes over the control from the normal inverter control device and switches the semiconductor switches between two curents in the load circuit, of which the higher current represents the peak current limit for the semiconductor switches and the lower current lies considerably above the rated current. The control blocks the semiconductor switches when the current limit is reached and fires at least that thyristor which allows current to pass in the direction of the actual current flow.