This paper explains the working principles, supported by simulation results, of a new converter topology in-tended for HVDC application, called the Alternate Arm Con-verter (AAC). Modular Multilevel Converters deliver small footprints and efficiencies above 99% in their half-bridge format, but only deliver DC-fault blocking with full-bridge sub-modules, and with an unacceptable penalty in efficiency. The Alternate Arm Converter (AAC) is a hybrid circuit topology using a mixture of full-bridge sub-modules and director switches which is capable of current control through DC faults while maintaining good efficiency in normal operation. It is hybrid between the modular multi-level converter, because of the presence of H-bridge cells, and the 2-level converter, in the form of director switches in each arm. This converter is able to generate a multi-level AC voltage and, since its stacks of cells consist of H-bridge cells instead of half-bridge cells, they are able to generate higher AC voltage than the DC terminal voltage. This allows the AAC to operate at an optimal point, called the ?sweet spot?, where the AC and DC energy flows equal. The director switches in the AAC are responsible for alternating the conduction period of each arm, leading to a significant reduction in the number of cells in the stacks. Furthermore, the AAC can keep control of the current in the phase reactor even in case of a DC-side fault and support the AC grid, through a STATCOM mode. Simulation results and loss calculations are presented in this paper in order to support the claimed features of the AAC.