Investigation of the turn-off characteristics of a GTO thyristor in an inductive-based pulse forming network

Abstract

This paper introduces a test circuit that is used to study the turn-off characteristics of a GTO thyristor when used as an opening switch. Specifically a safe-operating-area has been identified which demonstrates that a particular GTO device can successfully turn off as much as three times the maximum rated interruptible current. The text examines mechanisms for GTO turn-off failure and proposes follow-on research initiatives.