What are the advantages, disadvantages and applications of GTO ?

Advantages:

• The GTO has high capability of blocking voltage.
• The GTO has more di/dt ratings at turn ON.
• It has faster turn OFF permitting high switching frequencies.
• The communication circuit is not required, hence it reduced size, weight and cost.
• It has high efficiency.

Disadvantages:

• In GTO, ON state voltage drop and the associated loss is more.
• Gate drive circuit losses are more.
• Triggering gate current is higher as compared to the current required for a conventional SCR.
• In GTO, magnitude of latching and holding current is more.

Applications:

• It is used in DC drives or DC choppers
• It is used in DC circuit breakers
• It is used in low power application.