EN 60871-1:2014

Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V - Part 1: General

IEC 60871-1:2014 is applicable to both capacitor units and capacitor banks intended to be used, particularly, for power-factor correction of a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V and frequencies of 15 Hz to 60 Hz. This part of IEC 60871 also applies to capacitors intended for use in power filter circuits. The object of this part of IEC 60871 is as follows: - to formulate uniform rules regarding the performance and rating of units and banks, and the testing of units; to formulate specific safety rules; - to provide a guide for installation and operation. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: - the overvoltage cycling test has been moved to this standard from the IEC 60871-2; - the ranges of the standardized values of the highest voltage for equipment have been modified; - for installations installed on altitudes above 1 000 m a correction factor to all insulation requirements has been introduced; - new standard insulation tables have been defined. Keywords: capacitor units and capacitor banks, power filter circuits

Parallelkondensatoren für Wechselspannungs-Starkstromanlagen mit einer Bemessungsspannung über 1 kV - Teil 1: Allgemeines

Condensateurs shunt pour réseaux à courant alternatif de tension assignée supérieure à 1 000 V - Partie 1: Généralités

L'IEC 60871-1:2014 est applicable aux condensateurs unitaires et aux batteries de condensateurs destinés plus particulièrement à la correction du facteur de puissance des réseaux à courant alternatif de tension assignée supérieure à 1 000 V et de fréquence comprise entre 15 Hz et 60 Hz. Cette partie de l'IEC 60871 est également applicable aux condensateurs destinés à être utilisés pour le filtrage dans les circuits de puissance. La présente partie de l'IEC 60871 a pour objet: - de formuler des règles uniformes pour les performances et les caractéristiques assignées des condensateurs et des batteries, et pour les essais des condensateurs unitaires; - de formuler des règles spécifiques de sécurité; - de servir de guide d'installation et d'exploitation. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2005. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: - l'essai de tenue aux surtensions a été supprimé de l'IEC 60871-2 et intégré dans la présente norme; - les plages des valeurs normalisées de la tension la plus élevée pour le matériel ont été modifiées; - pour les installations situées à des altitudes supérieures à 1 000 m, un facteur de correction à toutes les exigences d'isolation a été introduit; - de nouveaux tableaux d'isolement normalisé ont été définis. Mots clés: condensateurs unitaires et aux batteries de condensateurs, filtrage dans les circuits de puissance

Paralelni kondenzatorji za sisteme z izmenično napetostjo v nazivnem območju nad 1000 V - 1. del: Splošno (IEC 60871-1:2014)

Standard EN IEC 60871-1 se uporablja za kondenzatorske enote in kondenzatorske baterije, namenjene zlasti za korekcijo faktorja moči sistemov z izmenično napetostjo v nazivnem območju nad 1000 V in s frekvencami 15 Hz do 60 Hz. Ta del standarda IEC 60871 se uporablja tudi za kondenzatorje, namenjene uporabi v močnostnih filtrirnih vezjih. Dodatne definicije, zahteve in preskusi za filtrirne kondenzatorje so navedeni v dodatku B. Dodatne zahteve za kondenzatorje, ki jih ščitijo notranje varovalke, in zahteve za notranje varovalke so navedene v standardu IEC 60871-4. Zahteve za kondenzatorje, ki jih ščitijo zunanje varovalke, in zahteve za zunanje varovalke so navedene v dodatku C. Ta standard se ne uporablja za kondenzatorje samoozdravljivega metaliziranega dielektričnega tipa. V tem delu standarda IEC 60871 niso obravnavani naslednji kondenzatorji: – kondenzatorji za induktivne obrate, ki proizvajajo toploto in delujejo pri frekvencah med 40 Hz in 24000 Hz (IEC 60110-1); – zaporedni kondenzatorji za elektroenergetske sisteme (glej skupino IEC 60143); – kondenzatorji za motorje in podobne namene (glej skupino IEC 60252); – sklopni kondenzatorji in kondenzatorski delilniki (IEC 60358); – vzporedni kondenzatorji za izmenično-tokovne sisteme z naznačeno napetostjo do vključno 1000 V (glej skupini IEC 60831 in IEC 60931); – majhni kondenzatorji na izmenični tok za fluorescenčne in razelektritvene sijalke (IEC 61048 in IEC 61049); – kondenzatorji za močnostne elektronske tokokroge (IEC 61071); – kondenzatorji za mikrovalovne pečice (IEC 61270-1); – kondenzatorji za odpravljanje radijskih motenj; – kondenzatorji, namenjeni uporabi z izmenično napetostjo, superponirano na enosmerno napetost. Dodatki, kot so izolatorji, stikala, instrumentni transformatorji, zunanje varovalke itd. so v skladu z ustreznimi standardi IEC. Cilj tega dela standarda IEC 60871 je: a) določitev enotnih pravil glede zmogljivosti in ocenjevanja enot in baterij ter preskušanja enot; b) določitev posebnih varnostnih pravil; c) zagotoviti navodila za namestitev in delovanje.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Aug-2014
• Withdrawal Date: 25-Jun-2017
• ICS: 29.040.99 - Other insulating fluids
• ICS: 29.240.99 - Other equipment related to power transmission and distribution networks
• ICS: 31.060.70 - Power capacitors
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 33 - Power capacitors
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 33 - IEC_TC_33
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 08-Aug-2014
• Completion Date: 08-Aug-2014
• Ref Project: SIST EN 60871-1:2014 - Shunt capacitors for A.C. power systems having a rated voltage above 1000 V - Part 1: General

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60871-1:2005 - Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V - Part 1: General
• Effective Date: 29-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2014
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60871-1:2007
3DUDOHOQLNRQGHQ]DWRUML]DVLVWHPH]L]PHQLþQRQDSHWRVWMRYQD]LYQHPREPRþMX
QDG9GHO6SORãQR,(&
Shunt capacitors for A.C. power systems having a rated voltage above 1000 V - Part 1:
General
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60871-1:2014
ICS:
31.060.70 0RþQRVWQLNRQGHQ]DWRUML Power capacitors
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60871-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
August 2014
ICS 31.060.70; 29.240.99 Supersedes EN 60871-1:2005
English Version
Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage
above 1 000 V - Part 1: General
(IEC 60871-1:2014)
Condensateurs shunt pour réseaux à courant alternatif de Parallelkondensatoren für Wechselspannungs-
tension assignée supérieure à 1 000 V - Starkstromanlagen mit einer Nennspannung über 1 kV -
Partie 1: Généralités Teil 1: Allgemeines
(CEI 60871-1:2014) (IEC 60871-1:2014)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2014-06-26. 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, 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 60871-1:2014 E
Foreword
The text of document 33/559/FDIS, future edition 4 of IEC 60871-1, prepared by IEC/TC 33 "Power
capacitors and their applications" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN 60871-1:2014.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be (dop) 2015-03-26
implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2017-06-26
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 60871-1:2005.

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 60871-1:2014 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 standards indicated:

IEC 60038:2009 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60038:2011 (modified).
IEC 60071-2:1996 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60071-2:1997 (not modified).
IEC 60099 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60099 Series (partly modified).
IEC 60110-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60110-1.
IEC 60143 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60143 Series (not modified).
IEC 60252 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60252 Series (not modified).
IEC 60358 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60358 Series (not modified).
IEC 60831 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60831 Series (not modified).
IEC 60931 Series NOTE Harmonized as EN 60931 Series (not modified).
IEC 61048 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61048.
IEC 61049 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61049.
IEC 61071 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61071.
IEC 61270-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61270-1.
IEC 61642 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61642.

- 3 - EN 60871-1:2014
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE 1 When 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.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60060-1 -  High-voltage test techniques - EN 60060-1 -
Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60071-1 2006 Insulation co-ordination - EN 60071-1 2006
Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules
IEC 60549 -  High-voltage fuses for the external EN 60549 -
protection of shunt capacitors
IEC/TS 60815 series Selection and dimensioning -
of high-voltage insulators intended
for use in polluted conditions
1)
IEC 60871-4 1996 Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems EN 60871-4
having a rated voltage above 1000 V -
Part 4: Internal fuses
1) EN 60871-4:1996 is superseded by EN 60871-4:2014, which is based on IEC 60871-4:2014.

IEC 60871-1 ®
Edition 4.0 2014-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V –

Part 1: General
Condensateurs shunt pour réseaux à courant alternatif de tension assignée

supérieure à 1 000 V –
Partie 1: Généralités
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XA
ICS 29.240.99; 31.060.70 ISBN 978-2-8322-1580-7

– 2 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Service conditions . 12
4.1 Normal service conditions . 12
4.2 Unusual service conditions . 13
5 Quality requirements and tests . 13
5.1 General . 13
5.2 Test conditions . 13
6 Classification of tests. 13
6.1 General . 13
6.2 Routine tests. 13
6.3 Type tests . 14
6.4 Acceptance tests . 14
6.5 Endurance test (special test) . 14
7 Capacitance measurement (routine test). 14
7.1 Measuring procedure . 14
7.2 Capacitance tolerances . 15
8 Measurement of the tangent of the loss angle (tan δ) of the capacitor (routine test) . 15
8.1 Measuring procedure . 15
8.2 Loss requirements . 16
8.3 Losses in external fuses . 16
9 Voltage test between terminals (routine test) . 16
9.1 General . 16
9.2 AC test . 16
9.3 DC test . 16
10 AC voltage test between terminals and container (routine test) . 16
11 Test of internal discharge device (routine test) . 17
12 Sealing test (routine test) . 17
13 Thermal stability test (type test) . 17
13.1 General . 17
13.2 Measuring procedure . 17
14 Measurement of the tangent of the loss angle (tan δ) of the capacitor at elevated
temperature (type test) . 18
14.1 Measuring procedure . 18
14.2 Requirements . 18
15 Voltage tests between terminals and container (type tests) . 19
15.1 AC voltage test between terminals and container . 19
15.2 Lightning impulse test between terminals and container . 19
16 Overvoltage test (type test) . 20
16.1 General . 20
16.2 Conditioning of the sample before the test . 20
16.3 Test procedure . 20

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 3 –
16.4 Acceptance criteria . 21
16.5 Validity of test . 21
16.5.1 General . 21
16.5.2 Element design . 21
16.5.3 Test unit design . 21
16.5.4 Waveform of overvoltage . 21
17 Short-circuit discharge test (type test) . 22
18 Insulation levels . 22
18.1 Standard insulation values . 22
18.2 General requirements . 23
18.2.1 General . 23
18.2.2 Adjacent insulating components and equipment . 23
18.2.3 Capacitors insulated from ground . 23
18.2.4 Capacitors with neutral connected to ground . 23
18.3 Test between terminals and container of capacitor units . 24
18.4 Capacitors in single-phase systems . 24
19 Overloads – Maximum permissible voltage . 27
19.1 Long duration voltages . 27
19.2 Switching overvoltages . 27
20 Overloads – Maximum permissible current. 27
21 Safety requirements for discharge devices . 28
22 Safety requirements for container connections . 28
23 Safety requirements for protection of the environment . 28
24 Other safety requirements . 28
25 Markings of the capacitor unit . 29
25.1 Rating plate . 29
25.2 Standardized connection symbols . 29
25.3 Warning plate . 29
26 Markings of the capacitor bank . 30
26.1 Instruction sheet or rating plate . 30
26.2 Warning plate . 30
27 Guide for installation and operation . 30
27.1 General . 30
27.2 Choice of the rated voltage . 30
27.3 Operating temperature . 31
27.3.1 General . 31
27.3.2 Installation . 31
27.3.3 High ambient air temperature. 32
27.4 Special service conditions . 32
27.5 Overvoltages . 32
27.5.1 General . 32
27.5.2 Restriking of switches . 33
27.5.3 Lightning . 33
27.5.4 Motor self-excitation . 33
27.5.5 Star-delta starting . 33
27.5.6 Capacitor unit selection . 33
27.6 Overload currents . 33

– 4 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
27.6.1 Continuous overcurrents . 33
27.6.2 Transient overcurrents . 34
27.7 Switching and protective devices . 34
27.7.1 Withstand requirements . 34
27.7.2 Restrike-free circuit-breakers . 35
27.7.3 Relay settings . 35
27.8 Choice of insulation levels . 36
27.8.1 General . 36
27.8.2 Altitudes exceeding 1 000 m . 36
27.8.3 Influence of the capacitor itself . 36
27.8.4 Overhead ground wires . 38
27.9 Choice of creepage distances and air clearance . 38
27.9.1 Creepage distance . 38
27.9.2 Air clearances. 39
27.10 Capacitors connected to systems with audio-frequency remote control . 41
Annex A (normative) Precautions to be taken to avoid pollution of the environment by
polychlorinated biphenyls . 42
Annex B (normative) Additional definitions, requirements and tests for power filter
capacitors . 43
Annex C (normative) Test requirements and application guide for external fuses and
units to be externally fused . 45
C.1 General . 45
C.2 Terms and definitions . 45
C.3 Performance requirements . 45
C.4 Tests . 45
C.4.1 Tests on fuses . 45
C.4.2 Type tests on capacitor containers . 45
C.5 Guide for coordination of fuse protection . 46
C.5.1 General . 46
C.5.2 Protection sequence . 46
C.6 Choice of fuses . 46
C.6.1 General . 46
C.6.2 Non current-limiting fuses . 47
C.6.3 Current-limiting fuses. 47
C.7 Information needed by the user of the fuses . 47
Annex D (informative) Formulae for capacitors and installations . 48
D.1 Computation of the output of three-phase capacitors from three single-phase
capacitance measurements . 48
D.2 Resonant frequency . 48
D.3 Voltage increase . 48
D.4 Inrush transient current . 49
D.4.1 Switching in of single capacitor bank . 49
D.4.2 Switching on of a bank in parallel with energized bank(s) . 49
D.5 Discharge resistance in single-phase unit . 49
D.6 Discharge time to 10 % of rated voltage . 49
Annex E (informative) Capacitor bank fusing and unit arrangement. 51
E.1 General . 51
E.2 Internally fused capacitor bank . 51
E.3 Externally fused capacitor bank . 51

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 5 –
E.4 Fuseless capacitor bank . 51
Bibliography . 54

Figure 1 – Time and amplitude limits for an overvoltage period . 22
Figure 2 – Bank isolated from ground . 37
Figure 3 – Bank isolated from ground (containers connected to ground) . 37
Figure 4 – Bank connected to ground . 38
Figure 5 – Air clearance versus AC withstand . 41
Figure E.1 – Typical connections between capacitor units . 52
Figure E.2 – Typical connections between elements within a capacitor unit . 53

Table 1 – Letter symbols for upper limit of temperature range . 12
Table 2 – Ambient air temperature for the thermal stability test . 18
Table 3 – Standard insulation levels for range I (1 kV < U <245 kV) . 25
m
Table 4 – Standard insulation levels for range II (U > 245 kV) . 26
m
Table 5 – Admissible voltage levels in service . 27
Table 6 – Insulation requirements . 36
Table 7 – Specific creepage distances . 38
Table 8 – Correlation between standard lightning impulse withstand voltages and
minimum air clearances (Table A.1 from IEC 60071-2:1996) . 40

– 6 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SHUNT CAPACITORS FOR AC POWER SYSTEMS
HAVING A RATED VOLTAGE ABOVE 1 000 V –

Part 1: General
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, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising 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) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60871-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 33: Power
capacitors and their applications.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2005. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) the overvoltage cycling test has been moved to this standard from the IEC 60871-2;
b) the ranges of the standardized values of the highest voltage for equipment have been
modified:
c) for installations installed on altitudes above 1 000 m a correction factor to all insulation
requirements has been introduced;
d) new standard insulation tables have been defined;

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 7 –
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
33/559/FDIS 33/564/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60871 series, published under the general title Shunt capacitors
for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V, can be found on the IEC
website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this 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.
– 8 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
SHUNT CAPACITORS FOR AC POWER SYSTEMS
HAVING A RATED VOLTAGE ABOVE 1 000 V –

Part 1: General
1 Scope
This part of IEC 60871 is applicable to both capacitor units and capacitor banks intended to
be used, particularly, for power-factor correction of a.c. power systems having a rated voltage
above 1 000 V and frequencies of 15 Hz to 60 Hz.
This part of IEC 60871 also applies to capacitors intended for use in power filter circuits.
Additional definitions, requirements and tests for filter capacitors are given in Annex B.
Additional requirements for capacitors protected by internal fuses as well as requirements for
the internal fuses are given in IEC 60871-4.
Requirements for capacitors to be protected by external fuses, as well as requirements for the
same, are given in Annex C.
This standard does not apply to capacitors of the self-healing metallized dielectric type.
The following capacitors are excluded from this part of IEC 60871:
– capacitors for inductive heat-generating plants operating at frequencies between 40 Hz
and 24 000 Hz (IEC 60110-1);
– series capacitors for power systems (see the IEC 60143 series);
– capacitors for motor applications and the like (see the IEC 60252 series);
– coupling capacitors and capacitor dividers (IEC 60358);
– shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having rated voltage up to and including 1 000 V
(see the IEC 60831 and IEC 60931 series);
– small a.c. capacitors to be used for fluorescent and discharge lamps (IEC 61048 and
IEC 61049);
– capacitors to be used in power electronic circuits (IEC 61071);
– capacitors for microwave ovens (IEC 61270-1);
– capacitors for suppression of radio interference;
– capacitors intended for use with a.c. voltage superimposed on d.c. voltage.
Accessories such as insulators, switches, instrument transformers, external fuses, etc. are in
accordance with the relevant IEC standards.
The object of this part of IEC 60871 is as follows:
a) to formulate uniform rules regarding the performance and rating of units and banks, and
the testing of units;
b) to formulate specific safety rules;
c) to provide a guide for installation and operation.

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 9 –
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements
IEC 60071-1:2006, Insulation co-ordination – Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules
IEC 60549, High-voltage fuses for the external protection of shunt capacitors
IEC 60815 (all parts), Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators intended for use
in polluted conditions
IEC 60871-4:1996, Shunt capacitors for AC power systems having a rated voltage above
1 000 V – Part 4: Internal fuses
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
capacitor element
element
device consisting essentially of two electrodes separated by a dielectric
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-03]
3.2
capacitor unit
assembly of one or more capacitor elements in the same container with terminals brought out
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-04]
3.3
capacitor bank
bank
number of capacitor units connected so as to act together
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-06]
3.4
capacitor
two-terminal device characterized essentially by its capacitance
Note 1 to entry: The term "capacitor" is used when it is not necessary to specify whether a capacitor unit or
capacitor bank is meant.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001, 151-13-28]
3.5
capacitor installation
one or more capacitor banks and their accessories

– 10 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-07]
3.6
discharge device of a capacitor
device which may be incorporated in a capacitor, capable of reducing the voltage between the
terminals practically to zero, within a given time, after the capacitor has been disconnected
from a network
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-03-15, modified by replacement of “intended to” by
“capable of” and of “to a given value” by “practically to zero”]
3.7
internal fuse of a capacitor
fuse connected inside a capacitor unit, in series with an element or a group of elements
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-03-16]
3.8
line terminal
terminal intended for connection to a line conductor of a network
Note 1 to entry: In polyphase capacitors, a terminal intended to be connected to the neutral conductor is not
considered to be a line terminal.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-03-01, modified by addition of Note 1]
3.9
rated capacitance of a capacitor
C
N
capacitance value derived from the values of rated output, voltage and frequency of the
capacitor
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-12, modified by addition of “C ”]
N
3.10
rated output of a capacitor
Q
N
reactive power for which the capacitor has been designed
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-16, modified by addition of “Q ”]
N
3.11
rated voltage of a capacitor
U
N
r.m.s. value of the alternating voltage for which the capacitor has been designed
Note 1 to entry: In the case of capacitors consisting of one or more separate circuits (for example single-phase
units intended for use in polyphase connection, or polyphase units with separate circuits), U refers to the rated
N
voltage of each circuit.
For polyphase capacitors with internal electrical connections between the phases, and for polyphase capacitor
banks, U refers to the phase-to-phase voltage.
N
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-15, modified by addition of “U ” and Note 1]
N
3.12
rated frequency of a capacitor
f
N
frequency for which the capacitor has been designed

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 11 –
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-14, modified by addition of “f ”]
N
3.13
rated current of a capacitor
I
N
r.m.s. value of the alternating current for which the capacitor has been designed
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-01-13, modified by addition of “I ”]
N
3.14
capacitor losses
active power dissipated in the capacitor
Note 1 to entry: All loss-producing components should be included, for example:
– for a unit, losses from dielectric, internal fuses, internal discharge resistor, connections, etc;
– for a bank, losses from units, external fuses, busbars, discharge and damping reactors, etc.
Note 2 to entry: The capacitor losses may be recalculated as an equivalent series resistor to the unit and/or bank.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-04-10, modified by addition of Note 1]
3.15
tangent of the loss angle (of a capacitor)
tan δ
ratio between the equivalent series resistance and the capacitive reactance of the capacitor at
specified sinusoidal alternating voltage and frequency
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-04-11]
3.16
maximum permissible a.c. voltage of a capacitor
maximum r.m.s. alternating voltage which the capacitor can sustain for a given time in
specified conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-04-07]
3.17
maximum permissible a.c. current of a capacitor
maximum r.m.s. alternating current which the capacitor can sustain for a given time in
specified conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-436:1990, 436-04-09]
3.18
ambient air temperature
temperature of the air at the proposed location of the capacitor
3.19
cooling air temperature
temperature of the cooling air measured at the hottest position in the bank, under steady-state
conditions, midway between two units
Note 1 to entry: If only one unit is involved, it is the temperature measured at a point approximately 0,1 m away
from the capacitor container and at two-thirds of the height from its base.

– 12 – IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014
3.20
steady-state condition
thermal equilibrium attained by the capacitor at constant output and at constant ambient air
temperature
3.21
residual voltage
voltage remaining on the terminals of a capacitor at a certain time following disconnection
4 Service conditions
4.1 Normal service conditions
This standard gives requirements for capacitors intended for use in the following conditions:
a) Residual voltage at energization
This shall not exceed 10 % of the rated voltage (see Clause 21, Subclause 19.2 and
Annex D).
b) Altitude
If the altitude exceeds 1 000 m above sea level a correction factor shall be applied to all
external insulation requirements as stipulated in Clause 18.
c) Ambient air temperature categories
Capacitors are classified in temperature categories, each category being specified by a
number followed by a letter. The number represents the lowest ambient air temperature at
which the capacitor may operate. The letters represent upper limits of temperature
variation ranges, having maximum values specified in Table 1. The temperature categories
cover the temperature range of –50 °C to +55 °C.
The lowest ambient air temperature at which the capacitor may be operated should be
chosen from the five preferred values +5 °C, –5 °C, –25 °C, –40 °C, –50 °C.
NOTE With the agreement of the manufacturer, the capacitor can be used at a lower temperature than the limits
above, provided that energization takes place at a temperature at or above these limits (see 27.3.1).
Table 1 is based on service conditions in which the capacitor does not influence the ambient
air temperature (for example outdoor installations).
Table 1 – Letter symbols for upper limit of temperature range
Ambient temperature
°C
Highest mean over any period of
Symbol Maximum
24 h 1 year
A 40 30 20
B 45 35 25
C 50 40 30
D 55 45 35
NOTE These temperature values can be found in the meteorological temperature tables covering the installation site.

If the capacitor influences the air temperature, the ventilation and/or choice of capacitor shall
be such that the Table 1 limits are maintained. The cooling air temperature in such an
installation shall not exceed the temperature limits of Table 1 by more than 5 °C.

IEC 60871-1:2014 © IEC 2014 – 13 –
Any combination of minimum and maximum values can be chosen for the standard
temperature category of a capacitor, for example –40/A or –5/C. Preferred standard
temperature categories are: –40/A, –25/A, –5/A and –5/C.
4.2 Unusual service conditions
Unless otherwise agreed between manufacturer and purchaser, this standard does not apply
to capacitors, the service conditions of which, in general, are incompatible with the
requirements of the present standard.
5 Quality requirements and tests
5.1 General
Clauses 5 to 17 give the test requirements for capacitor units.
Supporting insulators, switches, instrument transformers, external fuses, etc. shall be in
accordance with relevant IEC standards.
NOTE The year of issue (version number) of referred standards is given in test reports.
5.2 Test conditions
Unless otherwise specified for a particular test or measurement, the temperature of the
capacitor dielectric shall be in the range +5 °C to +35 °C.
When a correction has to be applied, the reference temperature to be used is +20 °C, unless
otherwise agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
It may be assumed that the dielectric temperature of the capacitor unit is the same as the
ambient temperature, provided that the capacitor has been left in an unenergized state at a
constant ambient temperature for an adequate period.
The a.c. tests and measurements shall be carried out at a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz
independent of the rated frequency of the capacitor, if not otherwise specified.
6 Classification of tests
6.1 General
The tests are classified as routine tests, type tests and acceptance tests.
6.2 Routine tests
a) Capacitance measurement (see Clause 7).
b) Measurement of the tangent of the loss angle (tan δ) of the capacitor (see Clause 8).
c) Voltage test between terminals (see Clause 9).
d) AC voltage test between terminals and container (see Clau
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