A load control device for controlling an amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load , the load control device comprising: a thyristor having first and second main load terminals adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for conducting a load current from the AC power source to the electrical load , the thyristor having a gate for conducting a gate current to render the thyristor conductive; a gate coupling circuit coupled between the first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor to conduct the gate current through the gate of the thyristor ; characterized by a controllable switching circuit , separate from and independently controllable in relation to the gate coupling circuit , and coupled in parallel electrical connection with the thyristor ; and a control circuit operatively coupled to the gate coupling circuit and the controllable switching circuit , the control circuit operable to render the gate coupling circuit conductive to conduct the gate current to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source , the control circuit continuing to render the gate coupling circuit conductive, such that the gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current again after the firing time; wherein the control circuit renders the gate coupling circuit non-conductive at a transition time after the firing time and before an end of the half-cycle, the control circuit rendering the controllable switching circuit conductive at approximately the transition time, such that the controllable switching circuit is able to conduct the load current after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle. a thyristor having first and second main load terminals adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source and the electrical load for conducting a load current from the AC power source to the electrical load , the thyristor having a gate for conducting a gate current to render the thyristor conductive; a gate coupling circuit coupled between the first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor to conduct the gate current through the gate of the thyristor ; characterized by a controllable switching circuit , separate from and independently controllable in relation to the gate coupling circuit , and coupled in parallel electrical connection with the thyristor ; and a control circuit operatively coupled to the gate coupling circuit and the controllable switching circuit , the control circuit operable to render the gate coupling circuit conductive to conduct the gate current to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source , the control circuit continuing to render the gate coupling circuit conductive, such that the gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current again after the firing time; wherein the control circuit renders the gate coupling circuit non-conductive at a transition time after the firing time and before an end of the half-cycle, the control circuit rendering the controllable switching circuit conductive at approximately the transition time, such that the controllable switching circuit is able to conduct the load current after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle. <EOS>