Classical discontinuous pulse width modulations (DPWM's) may not be efficiently applied inactive power filters, because it is hard to predict the peak values of the inverter current, and consequently it is difficult to calculate the position of the clamped interval, that minimizes the switching losses in any operating point. This paper proposes a new discontinuous pulse width modulation strategy applied to shunt active power filters. The proposed modulation strategydetects the current vector position relative to the inverter voltage reference and determines instantaneously the optimum clamped duration on each phase. It achieves a clamped voltage pattern, with variable lengths depending on the magnitude of the inverter current. This property adaptively reduces the current stress and minimizes the inverter switching losses, regardless of its application. The proposed modulation strategy is described, analyzed and validated on a three-phase voltage source inverter, rated at 7 kVA, 400 V, controlled as an active power filter.