EN IEC 60146-1-1:2024

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2024
Polprevodniški pretvorniki - Splošne zahteve in linijsko komutirani pretvorniki - 1-
1. del: Specifikacija osnovnih zahtev (IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line commutated converters -
Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements (IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
Halbleiter-Stromrichter - Allgemeine Anforderungen und netzgeführte Stromrichter - Teil
1-1: Festlegung der Grundanforderungen (IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs - Exigences générales et convertisseurs commutés
par le réseau - Partie 1-1: Spécification des exigences de base (IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 60146-1-1:2024
ICS:
29.045 Polprevodniški materiali Semiconducting materials
29.200 Usmerniki. Pretvorniki. Rectifiers. Convertors.
Stabilizirano električno Stabilized power supply
napajanje
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 60146-1-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM May 2024
ICS 29.200; 29.045 Supersedes EN 60146-1-1:2010
English Version
Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line
commutated converters - Part 1-1: Specification of basic
requirements
(IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs - Exigences générales Halbleiter-Stromrichter - Allgemeine Anforderungen und
et convertisseurs commutés par le réseau - Partie 1-1: netzgeführte Stromrichter - Teil 1-1: Festlegung der
Spécification des exigences de base Grundanforderungen
(IEC 60146-1-1:2024) (IEC 60146-1-1:2024)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2024-04-23. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard 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 European Standard 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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 60146-1-1:2024 E

European foreword
The text of document 22/374/FDIS, future edition 5 of IEC 60146-1-1, prepared by IEC/TC 22 "Power
electronic systems and equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 60146-1-1:2024.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2025-01-23
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2027-04-23
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60146-1-1:2010 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60146-1-1:2024 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60071-1 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60071-1
IEC 60071-2 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60071-2
IEC 60076-1 NOTE Approved as EN 60076-1
IEC 60146-2 NOTE Approved as EN 60146-2
IEC 60364-1 NOTE Approved as HD 60364-1
IEC 60529 NOTE Approved as EN 60529
IEC 60664-3 NOTE Approved as EN 60664-3
IEC 60664-4 NOTE Approved as EN 60664-4
IEC 61000-2-2:2002 NOTE Approved as EN 61000-2-2:2002 (not modified)
IEC 61000-3-3 NOTE Approved as EN 61000-3-3
IEC 61000-3-11 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61000-3-11
IEC 61000-6-3:2020 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61000-6-3:2021 (not modified)
IEC 61000-6-5 NOTE Approved as EN 61000-6-5
IEC 61000-6-8 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61000-6-8
IEC 61180 NOTE Approved as EN 61180
IEC 61204-3:2016 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61204-3:2018 (not modified)
IEC 61287-1 NOTE Approved as EN 61287-1
IEC 61439-1 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61439-1
IEC 61800-3:2022 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61800-3:2023 (not modified)
IEC/TR 61800-6 NOTE Approved as CLC/TR 61800-6
IEC 61803:2020 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61803:2020 (not modified)
IEC 62040-2:2016 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 62040-2:2018 (not modified)
IEC 62068 NOTE Approved as EN 62068
IEC 62310-2:2006 NOTE Approved as EN 62310-2:2007
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-551 1998 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 551: Power electronics
IEC 60050-551-20 2001 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 551-20: Power electronics - Harmonic
analysis
IEC 60664-1 2020 Insulation coordination for equipment EN IEC 60664-1 2020
within low-voltage supply systems - Part 1:
Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 61000-2-4 2002 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-2-4 2002
2-4: Environment - Compatibility levels in
industrial plants for low-frequency
conducted disturbances
IEC 61000-3-2 2018 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-3-2 2019
3-2: Limits - Limits for harmonic current
emissions (equipment input current ≤ 16 A
per phase)
IEC 61000-3-12 2011 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-3-12 2011
3-12: Limits - Limits for harmonic currents
produced by equipment connected to
public low-voltage systems with input
current >16 A and <=; 75 A per phase
IEC 61000-4-7 2002 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN 61000-4-7 2002
4-7: Testing and measurement techniques
- General guide on harmonics and
interharmonics measurements and
instrumentation, for power supply systems
and equipment connected thereto
IEC 61000-6-1 2016 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-6-1 2019
6-1: Generic standards - Immunity
standard for residential, commercial and
light-industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-2 2016 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-6-2 2019
6-2: Generic standards - Immunity
standard for industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-4 2018 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part EN IEC 61000-6-4 2019
6-4: Generic standards - Emission
standard for industrial environments
IEC 61378-1 2011 Converter transformers - Part 1: EN 61378-1 2011
Transformers for industrial applications
IEC 62477-1 2022 Safety requirements for power electronic EN IEC 62477-1 2023
converter systems and equipment - Part 1:
General
IEC 62477-2 2018 Safety requirements for power electronic EN IEC 62477-2 2018
converter systems and equipment - Part 2:
Power electronic converters from 1 000 V
AC or 1 500 V DC up to 36 kV AC or 54 kV
DC
IEC 60146-1-1 ®
Edition 5.0 2024-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Semiconductor converters – General requirements and line commutated

converters –
Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements

Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs – Exigences générales et convertisseurs

commutés par le réseau –
Partie 1-1: Spécification des exigences de base

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.200, 29.045 ISBN 978-2-8322-8354-7

– 2 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 9
3.1 Semiconductor devices and combinations . 9
3.2 Arms and connections . 13
3.3 Controllability of converter arms and quadrants of operation (on DC side) . 15
3.4 Commutation, quenching and commutation circuitry . 16
3.5 Commutation characteristics . 18
3.6 Rated values . 20
3.7 Specific voltages, currents and factors . 23
3.8 Cooling . 25
3.9 Service conditions tolerances and electromagnetic compatibility . 26
3.10 Harmonic distortion . 28
3.11 Definitions related to insulation co-ordination . 32
3.12 Principal letter symbols and subscripts . 35
4 Operation of semiconductor power equipment and valve devices . 38
4.1 Classification . 38
4.1.1 Semiconductor converter . 38
4.1.2 Semiconductor valve devices . 39
4.2 Basic operation of semiconductor converters . 39
4.2.1 Commutation . 39
4.2.2 Basic calculation factors for line commutated converters . 41
4.2.3 Disturbances and fault conditions . 43
5 Service conditions . 45
5.1 Code of identification for cooling method . 45
5.2 Environmental conditions . 45
5.2.1 Ambient air circulation . 45
5.2.2 Normal service conditions – Temperatures . 46
5.2.3 Other normal service conditions . 46
5.2.4 Unusual service conditions . 47
5.3 Characteristics of the load . 47
5.4 Service condition tolerances . 48
5.4.1 Steady state and short time conditions . 48
5.4.2 Repetitive and non-repetitive transients . 50
6 Power conversion equipment and assemblies . 51
6.1 Electrical connections . 51
6.2 Calculation factors . 51
6.2.1 Essential variables . 51
6.2.2 Losses and efficiency . 56
6.2.3 Power factor . 57
6.2.4 Voltage regulation . 57
6.3 Electromagnetic compatibility . 59
6.3.1 Harmonics . 59
6.3.2 Other EMC aspects . 60

IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024 – 3 –
6.4 Rated values . 60
6.4.1 General . 60
6.4.2 Rated output voltage . 60
6.4.3 Rated current values . 61
6.5 Duty classes . 62
6.5.1 Principles . 62
6.5.2 Selection of duty class and rated current value . 63
6.5.3 Particular remarks for double converters . 64
6.6 Markings . 64
6.6.1 General . 64
6.6.2 Rating plate . 65
7 Tests for valve device assemblies and power conversion equipment . 65
7.1 General . 65
7.1.1 Methods of testing . 65
7.1.2 Kinds of tests . 66
7.1.3 Performance of tests . 66
7.2 Insulation tests . 67
7.2.1 General . 67
7.2.2 Routine insulation tests of power conversion equipment . 68
7.2.3 Additional tests . 71
7.3 Functional test . 71
7.3.1 Light load test and functional test . 71
7.3.2 Rated current test . 72
7.3.3 Over-current capability test . 72
7.3.4 Measurement of the inherent voltage regulation . 72
7.3.5 Measurement of ripple voltage and current . 72
7.3.6 Measurement of harmonic currents . 72
7.4 Losses, temperature and power factor . 73
7.4.1 Power loss determination for assemblies and equipment . 73
7.4.2 Temperature rise test . 74
7.4.3 Power factor measurements . 74
7.5 Auxiliary device and control equipment . 74
7.5.1 Checking of auxiliary devices . 74
7.5.2 Checking the properties of the control equipment . 75
7.5.3 Checking the protective devices . 75
7.6 EMC tests . 75
7.7 Measurement of audible noise and additional tests . 76
7.8 Tolerances . 76
Annex A (normative) Harmonics and interhamonics . 78
A.1 Non-sinusoidal voltages and currents . 78
A.2 Two approaches for definitions related to harmonics . 78
Annex B (informative) Electrical environment – Short-circuit ratio . 79
B.1 Electrical environment specification . 79
B.2 Point of coupling of the converter . 80
B.2.1 Systems and installations . 80
B.2.2 Short-circuit ratio of the source in the installation . 81
B.2.3 Short-circuit ratio . 82
Annex C (informative) Introduction to safety standards for power conversion
equipment . 84

– 4 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
C.1 General . 84
C.2 Brief introduction to IEC 62477 series with reference to IEC 60146 series . 84
C.3 Purposes or intentions of IEC 60146 series and IEC 62477 series . 84
Bibliography . 85

Figure 1 – Types of commutation . 40
Figure 2 – Illustration of angles . 41
Figure 3 – Voltage regulation . 43
Figure 4 – AC voltage waveform . 51
Figure B.1 – PCC, IPC, installation current ratio and R . 82
SI
Figure B.2 – PCC, IPC, installation current ratio and R . 83
SC
Table 1 – List of major subscripts . 36
Table 2 – Symbols . 36
Table 3 – Performance criteria . 43
Table 4 – Cooling medium or heat transfer agent . 45
Table 5 – Method of circulation . 45
Table 6 – Limit of temperature of the cooling medium for indoor equipment . 46
Table 7 – Immunity levels to frequency and voltage amplitude for stiff AC voltage
connections . 49
Table 8 – Immunity levels to voltage unbalance for stiff AC voltage connections . 49
Table 9 – Immunity levels to voltage waveform for stiff AC voltage connections . 50
Table 10 – Connections and calculation factors . 54
Table 11 – Standard duty classes . 62
Table 12 – Examples of load cycles as guidance for selection of duty class . 63
Table 13 – Summary of tests . 67
Table 14 – AC or DC test voltages for equipment directly connected to low voltage

mains . 70
Table 15 – AC or DC test voltages for equipment directly connected to high voltage
mains . 70
Table 16 – Tolerances . 77
Table C.1 – Comparison on purposes or intentions between two standards . 84

IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SEMICONDUCTOR CONVERTERS – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
AND LINE COMMUTATED CONVERTERS –

Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
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preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
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with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 60146-1-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 22: Power electronic systems
and equipment. It is an International Standard.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2009. This fifth edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This fifth edition introduces four main changes:
a) re-edition of the whole standard according to the current directives;
b) deletion of safety-related descriptions considering coordination with IEC 62477 series;
c) changes of calculation methods of inductive voltage regulation;
d) changes considering coordination with IEC 61378 series.

– 6 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
22/374/FDIS 22/378/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts of the IEC 60146 series, under the general title Semiconductor converters –
General requirements and line commutated converters, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document 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.

IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
The main purposes of the IEC 60146-1 series are as follows.
IEC 60146-1-1, Specification of basic requirements:
• to establish basic terms and definitions;
• to specify service conditions which influence the basis of rating;
• to specify test requirements for electronic power converters and assemblies, standard
design (for special design, see IEC TR 60146-1-2);
• to specify basic performance requirements;
• to give application oriented requirements for semiconductor power converters.
IEC TR 60146-1-2, Application guidelines:
• to give additional information on test conditions and components (for example:
semiconductor valve devices), when required for their use in semiconductor power
converters, in addition to or as a modification on existing standards;
• to provide useful reference, calculation factors, formulae and diagrams pertaining to power
converter practice.
– 8 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
SEMICONDUCTOR CONVERTERS – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
AND LINE COMMUTATED CONVERTERS –

Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60146 specifies the requirements for the performance of all semiconductor
power converters and semiconductor power switches using controllable and/or non-controllable
electronic valve devices.
The electronic valve devices mainly comprise semiconductor devices, either not controllable
(i.e. rectifier diodes) or controllable (i.e. thyristors, triacs, turn-off thyristors and power
transistors). The controllable devices can be reverse blocking or reverse conducting and
controlled by means of current, voltage or light. Non-bistable devices are assumed to be
operated in the switched mode.
This document is primarily intended to specify the basic requirements for converters in general
and the requirements applicable to line commutated converters for conversion of AC power to
DC power or vice versa. Parts of this document are also applicable to other types of electronic
power converter provided that they do not have their own product standards.
These specific equipment requirements are applicable to semiconductor power converters that
either implement power conversion or use commutation (for example semiconductor self-
commutated converters) or involve particular applications (for example semiconductor
converters for DC motor drives) or include a combination of said characteristics (for example
direct DC converters for electric rolling stock).
This document is applicable to all power converters not covered by a dedicated product
standard, or if special features are not covered by the dedicated product standard. Generally
dedicated product standards for power converters refer to this document.
NOTE 1 This document is not intended to define EMC requirements. It covers all phenomena and therefore
introduces references to dedicated standards which are applicable according to their scope.
NOTE 2 For the information on converter transformers, related to this document, see IEC 61378-1.
NOTE 3 All the terms listed in Clause 3 are not necessarily used in this document, however they are necessary to
establish a common understanding in the application of semiconductor converters.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-551:1998, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 551: Power
electronics, available at www.electropedia.org
IEC 60050-551-20:2001, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 551-20: Power
electronics – Harmonic analysis, available at www.electropedia.org
IEC 60664-1:2020, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage supply systems –
Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024 – 9 –
IEC 61000-2-4:2002, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-4: Environment –
Compatibility levels in industrial plants for low-frequency conducted disturbances
IEC 61000-3-2:2018, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-2: Limits – Limits for
harmonic current emissions (equipment input current ≤16 A per phase)
IEC 61000-3-12:2011, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-12: Limits – Limits for
harmonic currents produced by equipment connected to public low-voltage systems with input
current ≤16 A and ≤ 75 A per phase
IEC 61000-4-7:2002, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-7: Testing and
measurement techniques – General guide on harmonics and interharmonics measurements and
instrumentation, for power supply systems and equipment connected thereto
IEC 61000-6-1:2016, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-1: Generic standards –
Immunity standard for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-2:2016, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-2: Generic standards –
Immunity standard for industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-4:2018, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-4: Generic standards –
Emission standard for industrial environments
IEC 61378-1:2011, Converter transformers – Part 1: Transformers for industrial applications
IEC 62477-1:2022, Safety requirements for power electronic converter systems and equipment
– Part 1: General
IEC 62477-2:2018, Safety requirements for power electronic converter systems and equipment
– Part 2: Power electronic converters from 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC up to 36 kV AC or
54 kV DC
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-551,
IEC 60050-551-20, IEC 60664-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org
NOTE The policy adopted is as follows:
– when an existing IEC 60050 definition needs amplification or additional information, the title, the reference and
the additional text are given;
– explanations and figures are given in 4.2;
– terms used in connection with converter faults are defined in IEC TR 60146-1-2.
3.1 Semiconductor devices and combinations
3.1.1
semiconductor device
device, the essential electric characteristics of which are due to the flow of charge carriers
within one or more semiconductor materials
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-13-63]

– 10 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
3.1.2
electronic power switch
electronic switch
operative unit for electronic power switching comprising at least one controllable valve device
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-13-01]
3.1.3
semiconductor switch
electronic power switch with semiconductor valve devices
Note 1 to entry: Similar terms are used for electronic switches or power controllers with specific electronic valve
devices, for example thyristor controller, transistor switch.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-13-05]
3.1.4
non-controllable valve device
rectifier diode
reverse blocking valve device the current path of which conducts in its conducting direction
without any control signal being applied
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-14-04]
3.1.5
thyristor
bi-stable semiconductor device comprising three or more junctions which can be switched from
the off-state to the on-state or vice versa
Note 1 to entry: Devices having only three layers but having switching characteristics similar to those of four-layer
thyristors may also be called thyristors.
Note 2 to entry: The term "thyristor" is used as a generic term to cover the whole range of PNPN type devices. It
may be used by itself for any member of the thyristor family when such use does not result in ambiguity or
misunderstanding. In particular, the term "thyristor" is widely used for reverse blocking triode thyristor, formerly called
"silicon controlled rectifier".
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-521:2002, 521-04-61, modified – Note 2 to entry added]
3.1.6
reverse blocking triode thyristor
three-terminal thyristor which for negative anode voltage does not switch, but exhibits a reverse
blocking state
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-521:2002, 521-04-63]
3.1.7
reverse conducting triode thyristor
three-terminal thyristor which for negative anode voltage does not switch and conducts large
currents at voltages comparable in magnitude to the forward on-state voltage
[SOURCE: IEC 6005-521:2002, 521-04-65]
3.1.8
bidirectional triode thyristor
triac
three-terminal thyristor having substantially the same switching behaviour in the first and third
quadrants of the current-voltage characteristic
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-521:2002, 521-04-67]

IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024 – 11 –
3.1.9
turn-off thyristor
thyristor which can be switched from the on-state to the off-state and vice versa by applying
control signals of appropriate polarity to the gate terminal
Note 1 to entry: The gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) and the integrated gate commutated thyristor (IGCT) are types of
turn-off thyristor.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-521:2002, 521-04-68, modified – Note to entry added]
3.1.10
power transistor
transistor designed for switching from the on-state to the off-state and vice versa by applying
control signals of appropriate polarity to the base or gate terminal
Note 1 to entry: The structure of the device intrinsically provides the capability of amplification
(see IEC 60050-521:2002, 521-04-46).
Note 2 to entry: Different technologies of power transistors are used, such as bipolar transistors, insulated gate
bipolar transistors (IGBT), metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET), etc.
3.1.11
valve device stack
single structure of one or more electronic valve devices with its (their) associated mounting(s)
and auxiliaries if any
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-14-12]
3.1.12
valve device assembly
electrically and mechanically combined assembly of electronic valve devices or stacks,
complete with all its connections and auxiliaries in its own mechanical structure
Note 1 to entry: Similar terms are applied to stacks or assemblies comprising specific electronic valve devices, for
example diode stack (rectifier diodes only), thyristor assembly (thyristors only or in combination with rectifier diodes).
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-14-13]
3.1.13
electronic valve device
indivisible electronic device for electronic power conversion or electronic power switching,
comprising a non-controllable or bistably controlled unidirectionally conducting current path
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-14-02, modified – Notes to entry deleted]
3.1.14
semiconductor valve device
electronic valve device which is a semiconductor device
Note 1 to entry: Typical semiconductor valve devices are thyristors, rectifier diodes, bipolar transistors, metal-
oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT).
Note 2 to entry: Two or more semiconductor valve devices may be integrated on a common semiconductor chip
(examples: a thyristor and a rectifier diode in a reverse conducting thyristor, a power switching field effect transistor
with its reverse diode) or packaged in a common case (semiconductor power module). These combinations are
considered as separate semiconductor valve devices.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-14-09, modified – Notes to entry added]

– 12 – IEC 60146-1-1:2024 © IEC 2024
3.1.15
electronic power conversion
power conversion
conversion
change of one or more of the characteristics of an electric power system essentially without
appreciable loss of power by means of electronic valve devices
Note 1 to entry: Characteristics include, for example, voltage amplitude, number of phases and frequency, including
zero frequency.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-11-02]
3.1.16
electronic power converter
power converter
converter
operative unit for electronic power conversion, comprising one or more electronic valve devices,
and auxiliaries if any
Note 1 to entry: Converter transformers and filters related to network interfacing in terms of electrical characteristics
are excluded from the converter itself. Such devices are part of the system aspect. Any device necessary to the
correct operation of the converter itself is included in the converter, for example filters for limitation of the du/dt
applied to the valve devices, surge arrestors, etc. Any auxiliary necessary to the correct operation of the converter
itself is included in the converter, for example fans or cooling system.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-551:1998, 551-12-01, modified, – Words "transformers and filt
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