- IGBTs are the modern default for most motor/inverter/drive applications: faster switching, simpler gate drive, higher switching frequency capability, easier paralleling and better overall efficiency at typical inverter frequencies.
- GTOs (GTRs) are older high-power devices that can carry large currents and block high voltages, but require complex gate drives, large snubber networks, and run at much lower switching frequencies. They were common in traction/HVDC historically but have largely been replaced by IGBTs (and now SiC) in new designs.
GTO (Gate Turn-Off Thyristor / sometimes called GTR in older texts):
- Thyristor family device: a four-layer (p-n-p-n) semiconductor that latches on when forward current flows.