A power control apparatus for controlling power supplied to an electric motor rotating a rotor employed in a centrifuge is provided. The power control apparatus includes first and second inverters and a smoothing capacitor disposed between the first and second inverters. In a motor power mode, the first inverter charges the smoothing capacitor with power supplied by an AC power supply, while the second inverter charges, in a motor braking mode, the smoothing capacitor with power regenerated by the motor during a braking operation for returning the regenerated power back to the AC power supply through the first inverter. An reactor is arranged between the AC power supply and the first inverter for reducing harmonic components contained in the current supplied from or back to the AC power supply.