EN 62501:2009/A1:2014

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2015
(OHNWURQNH]DSUHWYRUQLNHQDSHWRVWQLKYLURY96&]DHQRVPHUQLYLVRNRQDSHWRVWQL
SUHQRVHOHNWULþQHHQHUJLMH+9'&(OHNWULþQRSUHVNXãDQMH
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct curent (HVDC) power
transmission - Electrical testing
Spannungsgeführte Stromrichterventile (VSC-Ventile) für die
Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung (HGÜ) - Elektrische Prüfung
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le transport d'énergie en
courant continu à haute tension (CCHT) - Essais électriques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 62501:2009/A1:2014
ICS:
29.200 8VPHUQLNL3UHWYRUQLNL Rectifiers. Convertors.
6WDELOL]LUDQRHOHNWULþQR Stabilized power supply
QDSDMDQMH
29.240.01 2PUHåMD]DSUHQRVLQ Power transmission and
GLVWULEXFLMRHOHNWULþQHHQHUJLMH distribution networks in
QDVSORãQR general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 62501:2009/A1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
November 2014
ICS 29.200; 29.240
English Version
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct
current (HVDC) power transmission - Electrical testing
(IEC 62501:2009/A1:2014)
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le Amendment 1: Ventile von Spannungszwischenkreis-
transport d'énergie en courant continu à haute tension Stromrichtern (VSC) für die
(CCHT) - Essais électriques Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung (HGÜ) -
(CEI 62501:2009/A1:2014) Elektrische Prüfung
(IEC 62501:2009/A1:2014)
This amendment A1 modifies the European Standard EN 62501:2009; it was approved by CENELEC on 2014-09-16. CENELEC members
are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this amendment the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This amendment exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as
the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 62501:2009/A1:2014 E

Foreword
The text of document 22F/299/CDV, future IEC 62501:2009/A1, prepared by SC 22F "Power
electronics for electrical transmission and distribution systems" of IEC/TC 22 "Power electronic
systems and equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN 62501:2009/A1:2014.

The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2015-06-16
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national (dow) 2017-09-16
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62501:2009/A1:2014 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.

- 3 - EN 62501:2009/A1:2014
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
Annex ZA of EN 62501:2009 applies except as follows:
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
In the Annex ZA of EN 62501:2009 delete from the existing list the following
references:
IEC 60060-1 1989 High-voltage test techniques - HD 588.1 S1 1991
Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60071-1 2006 Insulation co-ordination - EN 60071-1 2006
Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules
In the Annex ZA of EN 62501:2009 Add to the existing list the following references:
IEC 60071 Series Insulation co-ordination EN 60071 Series
IEC 60270 2000 High-voltage test techniques - Partial EN 60270 2001
discharge measurements
IEC 62501 ®
Edition 1.0 2014-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
A MENDMENT 1
AM ENDEMENT 1
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC)

power transmission – Electrical testing

Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le transport d’énergie

en courant continu à haute tension (CCHT) – Essais électriques

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 29.200; 29.240 ISBN 978-2-8891-0744-5

– 2 – IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014
© IEC 2014
FOREWORD
This amendment has been prepared by subcommittee 22F: Power electronics for electrical
transmission and distribution systems, of IEC technical committee 22: Power electronic
systems and equipment.
The text of this amendment is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
22F/299/CDV 22F/316A/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this amendment can be found in the report
on voting indicated in the above table.
The committee has decided that the contents of this amendment and the base publication will
remain unchanged until the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under
"http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the
publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
_____________
CONTENTS
3.3 Operating states
Replace the subclause title as follows:
3.3 Operating states of converter
4.1.3 Sequence of test
Delete the subclause title.
Add the titles of new Subclause 4.1.8 and new Clause 15 as follows:
4.1.8 Conditions to be considered in determination of type test parameters
15 Tests for dynamic braking valves
Annex A (informative) Overview of VSC topology

IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014 – 3 –
© IEC 2014
Replace the annex title as follows:
Annex A (informative) Overview of VSC converters in HVDC power transmission
Add the titles of new Subclauses A.5.1 to A.5.4 and new Clause A.7 as follows:
A.5.1 General
A.5.2 Modular multi-level converter (MMC)
A.5.3 Cascaded two level converter (CTL)
A.5.4 Terminology for valves of the controllable voltage source type
A.7 Hybrid VSC valves
Annex B (informative) Fault tolerance capability
Replace the annex title as follows:
Annex B (informative) Valve component fault tolerance
Figure A.9 – One possible implementation of a multi-level “voltage source” VSC valve
Replace the figure title as follows:
Figure A.9 - The half-bridge MMC circuit
Add, in the list of figures, the titles of new Figures A.10 to A.13 as follows:
Figure A.10 – The full-bridge MMC circuit
Figure A.11 – The half-bridge CTL circuit
Figure A.12 – Construction terms in MMC valves
Figure A.13 – Construction terms in CTL valves
1 Scope
Add, after the first paragraph, the following two paragraphs:
The scope of this standard includes the electrical type and production tests of dynamic
braking valves which may be used in some HVDC schemes for d.c. overvoltage limitation.
This standard can be used as a guide for testing of STATCOM valves.
Add, at the end of the last sentence of the last paragraph, the words “between the purchaser
and the supplier” so that the last sentence reads as follows:
For other types of valves, the test requirements and acceptance criteria should be agreed
between the purchaser and the supplier.
2 Normative references
Delete from the existing list, the following references:
IEC 60060-1:1989, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60071-1:2006, Insulation co-ordination – Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules

– 4 – IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014
© IEC 2014
Add to the list, the following references:
IEC 60071 (all parts), Insulation co-ordination
IEC 60270:2000, High-voltage test techniques – Partial discharge measurements
3.2 Power semiconductor terms
Replace the existing introductory text, terms and definitions by the following new terms and
definitions:
3.2.1
turn-off semiconductor device
controllable semiconductor device which may be turned on and off by a control signal, for
example an IGBT
NOTE There are several types of turn-off semiconductor devices which can be used in VSC converters for HVDC.
For convenience, the term IGBT is used throughout this standard to refer to the main turn-off semiconductor device.
However, the standard is equally applicable to other types of turn-off semiconductor devices.
3.2.2
insulated gate bipolar transistor
IGBT
turn-off semiconductor device with three terminals: a gate terminal (G) and two load terminals
emitter (E) and collector (C)
NOTE By applying appropriate gate to emitter voltages, the load current can be controlled, i.e. turned on and
turned off.
3.2.3
free-wheeling diode
FWD
power semiconductor device with diode characteristic
NOTE 1 A FWD has two terminals: an anode (A) and a cathode (K). The current through FWDs is in the opposite
direction to the IGBT current.
NOTE 2 FWDs are characterized by the capability to cope with high rates of decrease of current caused by the
switching behaviour of the IGBT.
3.2.4
IGBT-diode pair
arrangement of IGBT and FWD connected in inverse parallel
3.3 Operating states
Replace the existing title, terms and definitions by the following new title, terms and
definitions.
3.3 Operating states of converter
3.3.1
blocking state
condition of the converter, in which a turn-off signal is applied continuously to all IGBTs of the
converter
NOTE Typically, the converter is in the blocking state condition after energization.

IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014 – 5 –
© IEC 2014
3.3.2
de-blocked state
condition of the converter, in which turn-on and turn-off signals are applied repetitively to
IGBTs of the converter
3.3.3
valve protective blocking
means of protecting the valve or converter from excessive electrical stress by the emergency
turn-off of all IGBTs in one or more valves
3.3.4
voltage step level
voltage step caused by switching of a valve or part of a valve during the de-blocked state of
the converter
NOTE For valves of the controllable voltage source type, the voltage step level corresponds to the change of
voltage caused by switching one submodule or cell. For valves of the switch type, the voltage step level
corresponds to the change of voltage caused by switching the complete valve.
3.4 VSC construction terms
Replace the existing terms and definitions by the following new terms and definitions:
3.4.1
VSC phase unit
equipment used to connect the two d.c. busbars to one a.c. terminal
3.4.2
switch type VSC valve
arrangement of IGBT-diode pairs connected in series and arranged to be switched
simultaneously as a single function unit
3.4.3
controllable voltage source type VSC valve
complete controllable voltage source assembly, which is generally connected between one a.c.
terminal and one d.c. terminal
3.4.4
diode valve
semiconductor valve containing only diodes as the main semiconductor devices, which might
be used in some VSC topologies
3.4.5
dynamic braking valve
complete controllable device assembly, which is used to control energy absorption in braking
resistor
3.4.6
valve
VSC valve, dynamic braking valve or diode valve according to the context
3.4.7
submodule
part of a VSC valve comprising controllable switches and diodes connected to a half bridge or
full bridge arrangement, together with their immediate auxiliaries, storage capacitor, if any,
where each controllable switch consists of only one switched valve device connected in series

– 6 – IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014
© IEC 2014
3.4.8
cell
MMC building block where each switch position consists of more than one IGBT-diode pair
connected in series
NOTE See Figure A.13
3.4.9
VSC valve level
smallest indivisible functional unit of VSC valve
NOTE For any VSC valve in which IGBTs are connected in series and operated simultaneously, one VSC valve
level is one IGBT-diode pair including its auxiliaries (see Figure A.13). For MMC type without IGBT-diode pairs
connected in series one valve level is one submodule together with its auxiliaries (see Figure A.12).
3.4.10
diode valve level
part of a diode valve composed of a diode and associated circuits and components, if any
3.4.11
redundant levels
maximum number of series connected VSC valve levels or diode valve levels in a valve that
may be short-circuited externally or internally without affecting the safe operation of the valve
as demonstrated by type tests, and which if and when exceeded, would require shutdown of
the valve to replace the failed levels or acceptance of increased risk of failures
NOTE In valve designs such as the cascaded two level converter, which contain two or more conduction paths
within each cell and have series-connected VSC valve levels in each path, redundant levels shall be counted only
in one conduction path in each cell.
3.4.12
dynamic braking valve level
part of a dynamic braking valve comprising a controllable switch and an associated diode, or
controllable switches and diodes connected in parallel, or controllable switches and diodes
connected to a half bridge arrangement, together with their immediate auxiliaries, storage
capacitor, if any
3.5.1 valve structure
Replace the existing definition by the following new definition:
structural components of a valve, required in order to physically support the valve modules
3.5.2 valve support
Delete the note.
3.5.4 valve section
Replace the definition by the following new definition and notes:
electrical assembly defined for test purposes, comprising a number of valve levels and other
components, which exhibits pro-rated electrical properties of a complete valve
NOTE 1 For valves of controllable voltage source type the valve section shall include cell or submodule d.c.
capacitor in addition to VSC valve levels.
NOTE 2 The minimum number of VSC or diode valve levels allowed in a valve section is defined along with the
requirements of each test.
3.5.5 valve base electronics
Replace the definition by the following new definition.

IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014 – 7 –
© IEC 2014
electronic unit, at earth potential, providing the electrical to optical conversion between the
converter control system and the VSC valves
4.1.3 Sequence of test
Delete the entire subclause, including the title, text and note.
4.1.4 Test procedure
Replace the existing sentence with the following new text:
The tests shall be performed in accordance with IEC 60060, where applicable with due
account for IEC 60071 (all parts). Partial discharge measurements shall be performed in
accordance with IEC 60270.
4.1.5 Ambient temperature for testing
Replace the text of this subclause with the following sentence:
The tests shall be performed at the prevailing ambient temperature of the test facility, unless
otherwise specified.
4.1.6 Frequency for testing
Add, at the end of the subclause, the following note:
NOTE Guidance on the worst service conditions can be found in CIGRÉ Technical Brochure No. 447.
Add, after 4.1.7, a new subclause as follows:
4.1.8 Conditions to be considered in determination of type test parameters
Type test parameters should be determined based on the worst operating and fault conditions
to which the valve can be subjected, according to system studies. Guidance on the conditions
can be found in CIGRÉ Technical Brochure No. 447.
4.2 Atmospheric correction factor
Insert, between the last dashed item and the last paragraph , the following new paragraph:
Realistic worst case combinations of temperature and humidity which can occur in practice
shall be used for atmospheric correction.
4.4.2 Criteria applicable to valve levels
Replace, in this entire subclause the words “short-circuited” by “short or open circuited”
Delete, in the last sentence of item f), the word “total”, so that the sentence reads as follows:
If the number of such levels exceeds 3 %, then the nature of the faults and their cause shall
be reviewed and additional action, if any, agreed between purchaser and supplier.
Table 2 – Valve level faults permitted during type tests
Replace the words “short-circuited” by “short or open circuited”.

– 8 – IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014
© IEC 2014
6.2 Test object
Replace in the third sentence of the first paragraph the words “VSC /diode” by “valve”.
6.4 Maximum continuous operating duty test
Delete in the fifth paragraph, the last sentence “The coolant temperature shall be not less …
temperatures in service” so that the paragraph now ends with “shall be representative of that
used in service”.
6.6 Minimum d.c. voltage test
Correct in the notation for the letter symbol U , the word “require” to “required”.
W
7.3.1 Valve support d.c. voltage test
Replace, in the second sentence of the first paragraph, the words “in approximately 10 s” by
“as fast as possible”.
Replace the existing note and the text below the note with the following new notes and text:
NOTE 1 Where possible the test voltage should be increased from 50 % to the maximum voltage level within
approximately 10 s. A longer time may be used; however, this may overstress the test object.
NOTE 2 If an increasing trend in the magnitude or rate of partial discharge is observed, the test duration may be
extended by mutual agreement between the purchaser and supplier.
The test shall then be repeated with the voltage of opposite polarity.
Prior to the test and before repeating the test with voltage of opposite polarity the valve
support may be short-circuited and earthed for a duration of several hours. The same
procedure may be followed at the end of d.c. voltage test.
The valve support d.c. test voltage U shall be determined in accordance with the following:
tds
1 min. test
U =±U ⋅k ⋅k
tds dmS1 3 t
3 h test
U =±U ⋅k
tds dmS2 3
where
U is the maximum of 1 s average value of voltage appearing across the valve support
dmS1
as determined by the insulation coordination study;
U is the maximum value of the d.c. component of the steady-state operating voltage
dmS2
appearing across the valve support;
k is a test safety factor;
k = 1,1;
k is the atmospheric correction factor according to 4.2.
t
7.3.2 Valve support a.c. voltage test
Replace the first paragraph as follows:

IEC 62501:2009/AMD1:2014 – 9 –
© IEC 2014
To perform the test, the two main terminals of the valve shall be connected together, and the
a.c. test voltage then applied between the two main terminals thus connected and earth.
Starting from a voltage not higher than 50 % of the maximum test voltage, the voltage shall be
raised to the specified 1 min test voltage, kept constant for 1 min, reduced to the specified
30 min test voltage, kept constant for 30 min and then reduced to zero.
Before the end of the 30 min test the level of partial discharge shall be monitored and
recorded over a 1 min period. If the value of partial discharge is below 200 pC, the design
may be accepted unconditionally. If the value of partial discharge exceeds 200 pC, the test
results shall be evaluated.
Delete in the list of notations, the second and the third symbols and their meanings i.e."U
tas1
is the 1 min test voltage" and "U is the 30 min test voltage".
tas2
8.3.1 MVU d.c. voltage test to earth
Replace, in the second paragraph, the words “in approximately 10 s” by “as fast as possible”.
Add, after the second paragraph the following new note and renumber the existing note as
“NOTE 2”.
NOTE 1 Where possible the test voltage should be increased from 50 % to the maximum voltage level within
approximately 10 s. A longer time may be used; however, this may overstress the test object.
Replace the last two paragraphs including the list of notations, from “Prior to the test, the
MVU terminal…” to “k = 1,0 for the 3 h test. ” by the following new text:
t
Prior to the test and before repeating the test with voltage of opposite polarity the MVU
terminals may be short-circuited together and earthed for a duration of several hours. The
same procedure may be followed at the end of d.c. voltage test.
The MVU d.c. test voltage U shall be determined in accordance with the following:
tdm
1 min. test
U =±U ⋅k ⋅k
tdm dmm1 5 t
3 h test
U =±U ⋅k
tdm dmm2 5
where
U is the maximum of 1 s average value of voltage appearing between the high-voltage
dmm1
terminal of the MVU and earth;
U is the maximum value of the d.c. component of the steady-state operating voltage
dmm2
appearing between the high-voltage terminal of the MVU and earth;
k is a test safety factor;
k = 1,1;
k is the atmospheric corre
...