A converter circuit for converting an output voltage from an AC power supply includes a rectifier circuit for rectifying the output voltage of the AC power supply; first and second capacitors connected in series, for smoothing the output of the rectifier circuit; and a switch circuit for switching the connections between the respective capacitors and the AC power supply so that the output voltage of the AC power supply is applied to each of the respective capacitors at a cycle that is shorter than the cycle of the AC power supply.