Circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch

A circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch, comprising:

• a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the primary winding being connected to a voltage for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch having a gate and an emitter or source, and the secondary winding having a center tap connected to the emitter or source of the semiconductor switch and secondary winding halves with outer terminals;
• a full-wave bridge rectifier connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding of said transformer, said bridge rectifier having positive and negative direct-voltage terminals;
• a gate resistor connected between the gate of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch and the positive direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;
• a first resistor and a capacitor connected to the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;
• an auxiliary switch having a gate, said first resistor and said auxiliary switch forming a series circuit connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier;
• said capacitor being connected between the center tap of the secondary winding of said transformer and the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;
• two diodes having anodes and cathodes, the cathodes being connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding halves of said transformer;
• and
• a second resistor connected to said capacitor;
• and
• another diode having a cathode and an anode, said anode of said further diode being connected to said center tap of said transformer and said capacitor being connected to said cathode of said other diode and to the emitter or the source of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch.