Abstract :
In connection with the GTO the word `turbo´ has to be understood in the context of increased power and increased performance. GTO thyristors have significantly improved the performance of thyristor inverters, reduced the number of elements, weight and volume, and increased reliability and availability, enabling the general break-through of the three-phase technology in electric railway traction. The author describes the main features of the GTO thyristor, including switch-on and turn-off, and their application to traction converters
