The Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) are widely used in high power converters. Definite advantages of IGBT rectifiers (also called PWM rectifiers) are: zero reactive power, low harmonics, and inherent power recuperation capability. However stationary traction rectifiers are built with either thyristors or diodes, not with IGBTs. The paper compares IGBT and thyristor rectifiers and analyzes the factors precluding the use of IGBT rectifiers at traction power substations.
