In this paper, a novel active boost converter for SR drive is proposed. An active capacitor circuit is added in the front-end. Based on this active capacitor network, when boost switch turns off, this network seems as passive capacitor network. And the voltage of boost capacitor can keep balance with dc-link voltage automatically. In the capacitor network, discharging voltage is general dc-link voltage in parallel-connected capacitors; charging voltage is double dc-link voltage in series-connected capacitors. When boost switch turns on, two capacitors are connected in series, and discharging voltage is up to double dc-link voltage. So the fast excitation current can be obtained from this mode. Profit from fast excitation and fast demagnetization mode, the performance and output power can be improved. Some computer simulations are done to verify the performance of proposed converter.