The locomotives were designed and constructed to be suitable for hauling heavy trains at 100 km/h (62 mph), which, at the time, was considered the limit for the three-phase system.

In particular, the cascade connection of the motors at the lower speeds gave insufficient tractive effort, affecting performance during starting and uphill travel.

At the ends there were two short bonnets which contained the auxiliary equipment, including fans, rheostat, compressors and brake reservoirs, as well as a reversing switch for the selection of the direction of travel.

The available speeds were: The current limitation during starting and switching was obtained through a liquid rheostat containing a 2% solution of sodium carbonate in water as electrolyte.

Current was picked up from the overhead line through two trolley poles with "spades" - a pattern common in three-phase locomotives of the time.

The success of the "Ligurian" multiple control led to the idea of adopting it as standard equipment on all three-phase locomotives, excluding only the oldest types.