A method and an apparatus for reducing energization transients in a three
phase AC power system which includes an electrical device having legs A,
B and C associated with corresponding phases of the power system. The
method includes the steps of connecting the legs of the device with the
power system in an order determined by an energization sequence, wherein
the energization sequence is either ABC or ACB. The apparatus includes a
three phase electrical device having legs A, B, and C associated with
corresponding phases of a three phase AC power system and switches
operable to connect the legs of the device with the power system, wherein
the switches are configured to be actuated in an order determined by an
energization sequence, and wherein the energization sequence is either
ABC or ACB. The switches may be controlled by a switch controller. A
transient-limiting impedance may be connected in series with leg A of the
device, in which case the method of the invention includes the further
step of bypassing the transient-limiting impedance and the energization
sequence is either ABCI, ABIC, ACBI or ACIB, wherein I is the step of
bypassing the transient-limiting impedance. In the apparatus of the
invention, a bypass switch may be provided for bypassing the
transient-limiting impedance, which bypass switch may be controlled by
the switch controller.