This paper proposes a novel and simple direct power control (DPC) scheme of a three-phase pulsewidth-modulated rectifier without the use of a predefined switching table. The converter switching state selection is based on fuzzy logic rules, using the instantaneous active and reactive power tracking errors as fuzzy logic variables. The basic idea of fuzzy rules synthesis is based on the knowledge of the instantaneous variation of active and reactive power. According to the input fuzzy variables and in a specific moment, the best switching state of the converter is chosen to restrict the instantaneous active and reactive power tracking errors simultaneously, for maintaining the DC-bus voltage close to the reference value and guarantying the unity-power-factor operation. The main advantages of the proposed DPC scheme, compared to the classical one, are that it is not necessary to use hysteresis comparators, and smooth control of active and reactive power is obtained during all sectors. Finally, the developed DPC was tested both in simulations and experimentally, and illustrative results are presented here. Results have proven excellent performance, and verify the validity of the proposed DPC scheme which is much better than the classical DPC.