Design of a high voltage chopper for traction applications using two series-connected GTO thyristors

The authors study the principal dimensioning calculations of the different protection circuits and the snubbers of a single phase chopper using two series-connected high power GTO´s. The experimental results obtained by this chopper loaded on an inductive charge are also presented. Finally, a brief comparative study of the different traction systems which are liable to be industrialized in the near future due to the recent progress in GTO technology is presented