AbstractIn the TJ‐II stellarator, L‐ to H‐mode transitions are achieved under NBI heating conditions when operating with lithium coated walls. Several magnetic configurations have been explored in order to study the influence of the rotational transform in the transition. The shear of the negative radial electric field, Er, increases at the L‐H transition by an amount that depends on the magnetic configuration and heating power. Magnetic configurations with and without a low order rational surface close to the plasma edge show differences that may be interpreted in terms of local changes in the radial electric field induced by the rational surface that could facilitate the L‐H transition. Fluctuation measurements show a reduction in the turbulence level that is strongest at the position of maximum Er shear. High temporal and spatial resolution measurements indicate that turbulence reduction precedes the increase in the mean sheared flow, but is simultaneous with the increase in the low frequency oscillating sheared flow. These observations may be interpreted in terms of turbulence suppression by oscillating flows, the so‐called zonal flows (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)