Commutation is the process of turning off a conducting thyristor. There are two types of commutation: voltage commutation, which involves making the anode negative with respect to the cathode, and current commutation, which reduces the anode current below the holding current value. For successful commutation, the reverse voltage or low anode current condition must be maintained for at least the thyristor turn-off time to prevent it from conducting again without a gate signal. Commutation techniques can be classified as natural commutation, which occurs during the negative half cycle of an AC supply, or forced commutation, which requires an external commutation circuit when using DC.