In this paper, a novel voltage space vector (NVSV) method used for 3-phase pulse width modulation voltage source reversible rectifier (PWM VSR) is described in detail. Based on the conventional voltage space vector (CVSV) method and its geometry topology, the actual switching time has a very simple form. With the αbeta/-coordinate transformation, the NVSV can be easily realized. Its effect is exactly the same as the CVSV method. Thus, the NVSV method can be simply implemented by using a common microprocessor. It has the attractive features such as short execution time and little memory size compared with the method. Furthermore, every phase of the converter can have its switching stopped for 120° in one period, so the switching loss of the power device can be minimized by about 33%. The proposed method is implemented by an 80c196KC and its performance has been proved by a 15 kW IGBT laboratory prototype.