EN 60146-1-1:2010

Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line commutated converters - Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements

IEC 60146-1-1:2009 specifies the requirements for the performance of all semiconductor power converters and semiconductor power switches using controllable and/or non-controllable electronic valve devices. It is primarily intended to specify the basic requirements for converters in general and the requirements applicable to line commutated converters for conversion of a.c. power to d.c. power or vice versa. Parts of this standard are also applicable to other types of electronic power converter provided that they do not have their own product standards. This fourth edition constitutes a technical revision and introduces five main changes: - re-edition of the whole standard according to the current directives; - correction of definitions and addition of new terms, especially terms concerning EMC, harmonic distortion and insulation co-ordination; - the service condition tolerances have been revised according to the IEC 61000 series; - the insulation tests have been revised considering the insulation co-ordination; - addition of three annexes.

Halbleiter-Stromrichter - Allgemeine Anforderungen und netzgeführte Stromrichter - Teil 1-1: Festlegung der Grundanforderungen

Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs - Exigences générales et convertisseurs commutés par le réseau - Partie 1-1: Spécification des exigences de base

La CEI 60146-1-1:2009 spécifie les exigences relatives aux caractéristiques de fonctionnement de tous les convertisseurs électroniques de puissance à semiconducteurs, ainsi que des commutateurs électroniques de puissance à semiconducteurs utilisant des valves électroniques, commandables et/ou non commandables. Elle est prévue en premier lieu pour spécifier les exigences de base applicables aux convertisseurs en général, ainsi que les exigences applicables aux convertisseurs à commutation par le réseau, pour la conversion puissance alternative-continue ou vice versa. Certaines parties de la présente norme sont également applicables à d'autres types de convertisseur électronique de puissance sous réserve qu'il n'existe pas de normes de produits qui leur soient propres. Cette quatrième édition constitue une révision technique et introduit cinq modifications principales: - réédition de l'ensemble de la norme conformément au directives en vigueur; - corrections de définitions et ajouts de nouveaux termes, en particulier des termes concernant la CEM, la distorsion harmonique et la coordination de l'isolement; - les tolérances relatives aux conditions de service ont été revues conformément à la série CEI 61000; - les essais d'isolement ont été revus, en tenant compte de la coordination de l'isolement; - ajout de trois annexes.

Polprevodniški pretvorniki - Splošne zahteve in linijsko komutirani pretvorniki - 1-1. del: Specifikacija osnovnih zahtev (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)

Ta mednarodni standard določa zahteve za delovanje vseh polprevodniških električnih pretvornikov in polprevodniških stikal, ki uporabljajo nadzorovane in/ali nenadzorovane elektronke. Elektronke v glavnem zajemajo polprevodniške naprave, ki so lahko nenadzorovane (tj. diode usmernika) ali nadzorovane (tj. tiristorji, elementi triac, izklopni tiristorji in močnostni tranzistorji). Nadzorovane naprave so lahko zaporno neprevodne ali zaporno prevodne in so nadzorovane s tokom, napetostjo ali svetlobo. Za naprave, ki niso v dvojnem stanju, se predpostavlja, da obratujejo v preklopnem načinu.  Ta standard predvsem določa osnovne zahteve za pretvornike na splošno in zahteve, ki veljajo za linijsko komutirane pretvornike za pretvorbo dvosmernega v enosmerni tok in obratno.  Deli tega standarda veljajo tudi za druge vrste elektronskih pretvornikov, pod pogojem, da nimajo svojih proizvodnih standardov. Ta specifična pravila za opremo veljajo za polprevodniške električne pretvornike, ki ali pretvarjajo električno energijo ali uporabljajo komutacijo (na primer polprevodniški samokomutirani pretvorniki) ali vključujejo določene načine uporabe (na primer polprevodniški pretvorniki za motorni pogon na enosmerni tok) ali vključujejo kombinacijo navedenih značilnosti (na primer pretvorniki enosmernega toka za električna  železniška vozila). Ta standard velja za vse električne pretvornike, ki jih ne zajema namenski standard za proizvod ali kadar namenski standard za proizvod ne zajema posebnih lastnosti. Namenski standard za proizvod za električne pretvornike se mora sklicevati na ta mednarodni standard.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Jul-2010
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Jun-2013
• ICS: 29.045 - Semiconducting materials
• ICS: 29.200 - Rectifiers. Convertors. Stabilized power supply
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 22X - Power electronics
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 22 - IEC_TC_22
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 22 - IEC_TC_22
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 09-Jul-2010
• Completion Date: 09-Jul-2010
• Ref Project: SIST EN 60146-1-1:2010 - Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line commutated converters - Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 60146-1-1:1993 - Semiconductor convertors - General requirements and line commutated convertors - Part 1-1: Specifications of basic requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023
• Replaces: EN 60146-1-1:1993/A1:1997 - Semiconductor convertors - General requirements and line commutated convertors - Part 1-1: Specifications of basic requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023
• Replaced By: EN IEC 60146-1-1:2024 - Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line commutated converters - Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements
• Effective Date: 04-Jan-2022

Overview

EN 60146-1-1:2010 (CLC) – equivalent to IEC 60146-1-1:2009 – specifies the basic requirements for semiconductor power converters and semiconductor power switches, with a primary focus on line commutated converters used to convert a.c. to d.c. power (and vice versa). This fourth edition is a technical revision that updates definitions, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and insulation co‑ordination, service condition tolerances and insulation tests, and adds three annexes.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and classification of semiconductor converters and valve devices (controllable/non‑controllable).
• Definitions and terminology updates, including terms for EMC, harmonic distortion and insulation co‑ordination.
• Service condition tolerances revised in line with the IEC 61000 series (environmental and EMC-related conditions).
• Insulation tests and coordination: revised test requirements and considerations for insulation co‑ordination across low-voltage equipment.
• Operational principles for line commutated converters: commutation, quenching, calculation factors for conversion and disturbance/fault handling.
• Rated values and duty classes: rated output voltage/current, cooling codes, selection of duty class, and marking requirements.
• Performance and testing: methods and kinds of tests for valve assemblies and complete converter equipment; insulation routine tests.
• Electromagnetic compatibility and harmonic limits: guidance referencing IEC 61000 series and harmonic measurement/testing standards.
• Power conversion metrics: losses and efficiency, power factor, voltage regulation and calculation factors applicable to converter design and assessment.

Applications and who uses this standard

EN 60146-1-1 is essential for professionals and organizations involved with power-electronic equipment:

• Power electronics designers and manufacturers (rectifiers, inverters, HVDC and static VAR compensators).
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing functional, insulation and EMC testing.
• Electrical utilities and system integrators specifying converters for power transmission, industrial drives and UPS systems.
• Compliance and safety engineers referencing insulation co‑ordination and EMC limits.
• Project engineers developing power conversion systems where no dedicated product standard exists.

Related standards (for implementation and testing)

This standard references multiple IEC/CENELEC norms relevant for practical compliance, including:

• IEC 61000 series (EMC, harmonic limits)
• IEC 60664-1 (insulation co‑ordination)
• IEC 62040 (UPS standards)
• IEC 61800 (adjustable speed drive EMC/safety) Use these related documents together with EN 60146-1-1 to ensure comprehensive design, testing and regulatory compliance for semiconductor converters.

Keywords: EN 60146-1-1:2010, IEC 60146-1-1, semiconductor converters, line commutated converters, insulation co‑ordination, EMC, harmonic distortion, power conversion, valve devices.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2010
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60146-1-1:2001
SIST EN 60146-1-1:2001/A1:2001
Polprevodniški pretvorniki - Splošne zahteve in linijsko komutirani pretvorniki - 1-
1. del: Specifikacija osnovnih zahtev (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)
Semiconductor converters - General requirements and line commutated converters - Part
1-1: Specification of basic requirements (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)
Halbleiter-Stromrichter - Allgemeine Anforderungen und netzgeführte Stromrichter - Teil
1-1: Festlegung der Grundanforderungen (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)
Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs - Exigences générales et convertisseurs commutés
par le réseau - Partie 1-1: Spécification des exigences de base (CEI 60146-1-1:2009)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60146-1-1:2010
ICS:
29.200 8VPHUQLNL3UHWYRUQLNL Rectifiers. Convertors.
6WDELOL]LUDQRHOHNWULþQR Stabilized power supply
QDSDMDQMH
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 60146-1-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2010
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.200;29.045 Supersedes EN 60146-1-1:1993 + A1:1997

English version
Semiconductor converters -
General requirements and line commutated converters -
Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements
(IEC 60146-1-1:2009)
Convertisseurs à semiconducteurs -  Halbleiter-Stromrichter -
Exigences générales et convertisseurs Allgemeine Anforderungen
commutés par le réseau - und netzgeführte Stromrichter -
Partie 1-1: Spécification des exigences Teil 1-1: Festlegung
de base der Grundanforderungen
(CEI 60146-1-1:2009) (IEC 60146-1-1:2009)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2010-07-01. 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 Central Secretariat 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 Central Secretariat 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, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2010 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 60146-1-1:2010 E
Foreword
The text of document 22/146/FDIS, future edition 4 of IEC 60146-1-1, prepared by IEC TC 22, Power
electronic systems and equipment, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved
by CENELEC as EN 60146-1-1 on 2010-07-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 60146-1-1:1993 + A1:1997.
This EN 60146-1-1:200X introduces five main changes:
a) re-edition of the whole standard according to the current directives;
b) correction of definitions and addition of new terms, especially terms concerning EMC, harmonic
distortion and insulation co-ordination;
c) the service condition tolerances have been revised according to the EN 61000 series;
d) the insulation tests have been revised considering the insulation co-ordination;
e) addition of three annexes.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2011-04-01
national standard or by endorsement
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2013-07-01
with the EN have to be withdrawn
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60146-1-1:2009 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 60071-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60071-1.
IEC 60071-2 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60071-2.
IEC 60076-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60076-1.
IEC 60146-1-3 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60146-1-3.
IEC 60146-2 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60146-2.
IEC 60664-3 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60664-3.
IEC 60664-4 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60664-4.
IEC 60664-5 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 60664-5.
IEC 61287-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61287-1.
IEC 61378-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61378-1.

- 3 - EN 60146-1-1:2010
IEC 61378-2 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61378-2.
IEC 61439-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61439-1.
IEC/TR 61800-6 NOTE  Harmonized as CLC/TR 61800-6.
IEC 62068-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 62068-1.
__________
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60050-101 1998 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - -
(IEV) -
Part 101: Mathematics
IEC 60050-551 1998 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - -
(IEV) -
Part 551: Power electronics
IEC 60050-551-20 2001 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - - -
Part 551-20: Power electronics - Harmonic
analysis
IEC 60364-1 - Low-voltage electrical installations - HD 60364-1 -
Part 1: Fundamental principles, assessment
of general characteristics, definitions

IEC 60529 - Degrees of protection provided EN 60529 -
by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60664-1 2007 Insulation coordination for equipment within EN 60664-1 2007
low-voltage systems -
Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests

IEC 60700-1 - Thyristor valves for high voltage direct EN 60700-1 -
current (HVDC) power transmission -
Part 1: Electrical testing
IEC 61000 Series Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) EN 61000 Series

IEC 61000-2-2 2002 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-2-2 2002
Part 2-2: Environment - Compatibility levels
for low-frequency conducted disturbances
and signalling in public low-voltage power
supply systems
IEC 61000-2-4 2002 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-2-4 2002
Part 2-4: Environment - Compatibility levels
in industrial plants for low-frequency
conducted disturbances
IEC 61000-3-2 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-3-2 -
Part 3-2: Limits - Limits for harmonic current
emissions (equipment input current ≤ 16 A per
phase)
- 5 - EN 60146-1-1:2010
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 61000-3-3 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-3-3 -
Part 3-3: Limits - Limitation of voltage
changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in
public low-voltage supply systems, for
equipment with rated current ≤ 16 A per phase
and not subject to conditional connection

IEC 61000-3-11 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-3-11 -
Part 3-11: Limits - Limitation of voltage
changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in
public low-voltage supply systems -
Equipment with rated current ≤ 75 A and
subject to conditional connection

IEC 61000-3-12 2004 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-3-12 2005
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 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-4-7 -
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 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-6-1 -
Part 6-1: Generic standards - Immunity for
residential, commercial and light-industrial
environments
IEC 61000-6-2 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-6-2 -
Part 6-2: Generic standards - Immunity for
industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-3 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-6-3 -
Part 6-3: Generic standards - Emission
standard for residential, commercial and light-
industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-4 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - EN 61000-6-4 -
Part 6-4: Generic standards - Emission
standard for industrial environments

IEC 61140 - Protection against electric shock - Common EN 61140 -
aspects for installation and equipment

IEC 61180-1 1992 High-voltage test techniques for low-voltage EN 61180-1 1994
equipment -
Part 1: Definitions, test and procedure
requirements
IEC 61204-3 - Low-voltage power supplies, d.c. output - EN 61204-3 -
Part 3: Product EMC standard
IEC 61204-7 - Low voltage power supplies, d.c. output - EN 61204-7 -
Part 7: Safety requirements
IEC 61800-3 - Adjustable speed electrical power drive EN 61800-3 -
systems -
Part 3: EMC requirements and specific test
methods
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 61800-5-1 - Adjustable speed electrical power drive EN 61800-5-1 -
systems -
Part 5-1: Safety requirements - Electrical,
thermal and energy
IEC 61954 - Power electronics for electrical transmission EN 61954 -
and distribution systems - Testing of thyristor
valves for static VAR compensators

IEC/PAS 61975 - System tests for high-voltage direct current - -
(HVDC) installations
IEC 62040-1 - Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS) - EN 62040-1 -
Part 1: General and safety requirements for
UPS
IEC 62040-2 - Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) - EN 62040-2 -
Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
requirements
IEC 62103 - Electronic equipment for use in power - -
installations
IEC 62310-1 - Static transfer systems (STS) - EN 62310-1 -
Part 1: General and safety requirements

IEC 62310-2 - Static transfer systems (STS) - EN 62310-2 -
Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
requirements
IEC 60146-1-1 ®
Edition 4.0 2009-06
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
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
XD
CODE PRIX
ICS 29.200, 29.045 ISBN 2-8318-1049-5
– 2 – 60146-1-1 © IEC:2009
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
1 Scope and object.7
2 Normative references .7
3 Terms and definitions .9
3.1 Semiconductor devices and combinations .10
3.2 Arms and connections .13
3.3 Controllability of converter arms and quadrants of operation (on d.c. 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 .22
3.8 Cooling.25
3.9 Service conditions tolerances and electromagnetic compatibility .26
3.10 Harmonic distortion .27
3.11 Definitions related to insulation co-ordination .31
4 Operation of semiconductor power equipment and valve devices.34
4.1 Classification.34
4.1.1 Semiconductor converter .34
4.1.2 Semiconductor valve devices.35
4.2 Principal letter symbols and subscripts.36
4.3 Basic operation of semiconductor converters.38
4.3.1 Commutation .38
4.3.2 Basic calculation factors for line commutated converters .40
4.3.3 Disturbances and fault conditions .42
5 Service conditions .43
5.1 Code of identification for cooling method.43
5.2 Environmental conditions .44
5.2.1 Ambient air circulation .44
5.2.2 Normal service conditions – Temperatures .44
5.2.3 Other normal service conditions .45
5.2.4 Unusual service conditions .45
5.3 Characteristics of the load.46
5.4 Service condition tolerances.46
5.4.1 Steady state and short time conditions .46
5.4.2 Repetitive and non-repetitive transients.49
6 Power conversion equipment and assemblies.49
6.1 Electrical connections.49
6.2 Calculation factors.50
6.2.1 Essential variables .50
6.2.2 Losses and efficiency .53
6.2.3 Power factor .54
6.2.4 Voltage regulation .54
6.3 Electromagnetic compatibility .56
6.3.1 Harmonics .56
6.3.2 Other EMC aspects .57
6.4 Rated values .57

60146-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 3 –
6.4.1 General .57
6.4.2 Rated output voltage .58
6.4.3 Rated current values .58
6.5 Duty classes.59
6.5.1 Principles .59
6.5.2 Selection of duty class and rated current value.60
6.5.3 Particular remarks for double converters .61
6.6 Markings .62
6.6.1 General .62
6.6.2 Rating plate.62
7 Tests for valve device assemblies and power conversion equipment .63
7.1 General .63
7.1.1 Methods of testing .63
7.1.2 Kinds of tests .63
7.1.3 Performance of tests .63
7.2 Insulation tests .64
7.2.1 General .64
7.2.2 Insulation routine tests of power conversion equipment .65
7.2.3 Additional tests.68
7.3 Functional test.68
7.3.1 Light load test and functional test .68
7.3.2 Rated current test.69
7.3.3 Over-current capability test.69
7.3.4 Measurement of the inherent voltage regulation .69
7.3.5 Measurement of ripple voltage and current .69
7.3.6 Measurement of harmonic currents.69
7.4 Losses, temperature and power factor.70
7.4.1 Power loss determination for assemblies and equipment .70
7.4.2 Temperature rise test .71
7.4.3 Power factor measurements .72
7.5 Auxiliaries and control .72
7.5.1 Checking of auxiliary devices .72
7.5.2 Checking the properties of the control equipment .72
7.5.3 Checking the protective devices .72
7.6 EMC tests .73
7.7 Measurement of audible noise and additional tests.73
7.8 Tolerances .73
Annex A (normative) Harmonics and interhamonics .75
Annex B (informative) Electrical environment – Short-circuit ratio .79
Annex C (normative) Protection against electric shock and energy hazards .83
Bibliography.86
Index of definitions .89

– 4 – 60146-1-1 © IEC:2009
Figure 1 – Types of commutation .39
Figure 2 – Illustration of angles.40
Figure 3 – Voltage regulation .41
Figure 4 – A.C. voltage waveform .49
Figure B.1 – PCC, IPC, installation current ratio and R .81
SI
Figure B.2 – PCC, IPC, installation current ratio and R .82
SC
Table 1 – List of major subscripts .36
Table 2 – Symbols .36
Table 3 – Performance criteria.42
Table 4 – Cooling medium or heat transfer agent.44
Table 5 – Method of circulation .44
Table 6 – Limit of temperature of the cooling medium for indoor equipment .45
Table 7 – Immunity levels to frequency and voltage amplitude for stiff a.c. voltage
connections .47
Table 8 – Immunity levels to voltage unbalance for stiff a.c. voltage connections.48
Table 9 – Immunity levels to voltage waveform for stiff a.c. voltage connections .48
Table 10 – Connections and calculation factors .52
Table 11 – Standard duty classes .60
Table 12 – Examples of load cycles as guidance for selection of duty class.61
Table 13 – Summary of tests .64
Table 14 – AC or d.c. test voltages for equipment directly connected to low voltage
mains.67
Table 15 – AC or d.c. test voltages for equipment directly connected to high voltage
mains.67
Table 16 – Tolerances .74

60146-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 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, 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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 60146-1-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 22:
Power electronic systems and equipment.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 1991, Corrigendum 1
(1993) and Amendment 1 (1996). This fourth edition constitutes a technical revision.
This fourth edition introduces five main changes:
a) re-edition of the whole standard according to the current directives;
b) correction of definitions and addition of new terms, especially terms concerning EMC,
harmonic distortion and insulation co-ordination;
c) the service condition tolerances have been revised according to the IEC 61000 series;
d) the insulation tests have been revised considering the insulation co-ordination;
e) addition of three annexes.
– 6 – 60146-1-1 © IEC:2009
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
22/146/FDIS 22/149/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.
The main purposes of the IEC 60146-1 series are as follows.
Part 1-1, 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.
Part 1-2, IEC/TR 60146-1-2, Application guide:
– 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.
Part 1-3, IEC 60146-1-3, Transformers and reactors:
– to give additional information on characteristics wherein converter transformers differ
from ordinary power transformers. In all other respects, the rules specified in
IEC 60076 shall apply to converter transformers, insofar as they are not in
contradiction with this International Standard.
A list of all parts of the IEC 60146 series, under the general title: Semiconductor converters, can
be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result 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.
60146-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 7 –
SEMICONDUCTOR CONVERTERS –
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND LINE COMMUTATED CONVERTERS –

Part 1-1: Specification of basic requirements

1 Scope and object
This International Standard 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 may 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 standard is primarily intended to specify the basic requirements for converters in general
and the requirements applicable to line commutated converters for conversion of a.c. power to
d.c. power or vice versa. Parts of this standard 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 d.c. motor drives) or include a combination of said characteristics (for example
direct d.c. converters for electric rolling stock).
This standard 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. Dedicated
product standards for power converters should refer to this International Standard.
NOTE 1 This standard 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 A large part of this standard, particularly for power transformers, is covered in IEC 61378-1.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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 60050-101:1998, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Part 101: Mathematics
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 60364-1, Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 1: Fundamental principles,
assessment of general characteristics, definitions
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

– 8 – 60146-1-1 © IEC:2009
IEC 60664-1:2007, Insulation coordination for equipment within low-voltage systems –
Part 1: Principles, requirements and tests
IEC 60700-1, Thyristor valves for high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission –
Part 1: Electrical testing
IEC 61000 (all parts), Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
IEC 61000-2-2:2002, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-2: Environment –
Compatibility levels for low-frequency conducted disturbances and signalling in public low-
voltage power supply systems
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, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-2: Limits – Limits for harmonic
current emissions (equipment with input current < 16 A per phase)
IEC 61000-3-3, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-3: Limits – Limitation of voltage
changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in public low-voltage supply systems for equipment
with rated current ≤ 16 A per phase and not subject to conditional connection
IEC 61000-3-11, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-11: Limits – Limitation of
voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker in public low-voltage supply systems –
Equipment with rated current ≤ 75 A and subject to conditional connection
IEC 61000-3-12:2004, 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, 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, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-1: Generic standards –
Immunity for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-2, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-2: Generic standards –
Immunity for industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-3, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-3: Generic standards –
Emission standard for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments
IEC 61000-6-4, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-4: Generic standards –
Emission standard for industrial environments
IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock – Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61180-1:1992, High-voltage test techniques for low voltage equipment – Part 1:
Definitions, test and procedure requirements
IEC 61204-3, Low-voltage power supplies, d.c. output – Part 3: Electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC)
IEC 61204-7, Low voltage power supplies, d.c. output – Part 7: Safety requirements

60146-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 9 –
IEC 61800-3, Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems – Part 3: EMC requirements
and specific test methods
IEC 61800-5-1, Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems – Part 5-1: Safety
requirements – Electrical, thermal and energy
IEC 61954, Power electronics for electrical transmission and distribution systems – Testing of
thyristor valves for static VAR compensators
IEC/PAS 61975, Guide to the specification and design evaluation of a.c. filters for HVDC
systems
IEC 62040-1, Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) – Part 1: General and safety requirements
for UPS
IEC 62040-2, Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) – Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC) requirements
IEC 62103, Electronic equipment for use in power installations
IEC 62310-1, Static transfer systems (STS) – Part 1: General and safety requirements
IEC 62310-2, Static transfer systems (STS) – Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
requirements
NOTE Some other IEC publications are quoted for information in the Bibliography.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
In this standard, IEV definitions are used wherever possible, particularly those in IEC 60050
(551).
All the terms listed in this clause are not necessarily used in this International Standard,
however they are necessary to establish a common understanding in the application of
semiconductor converters.
The policy adopted is as follows:
a) when an existing IEV definition needs amplification or additional information, the title, the
reference and the additional text are given;
b) explanations and figures are given in 4. 3;
c) terms used in connection with converter faults are defined in IEC/TR 60146-1-2.
An alphabetical index is given in the Index of definitions.
NOTE For easier use of this index, a cross reference numbering is set up, noted [df n], in which n is the natural
integer following the alphabetical order of the definitions.

– 10 – 60146-1-1 © IEC:2009
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
[IEV 151-13-63] [df 164]
3.1.2
electronic (power) switch
an operative unit for electronic power switching comprising at least one controllable valve
device
[IEV 551-13-01] [df 60] [df 123] [df 173]
3.1.3
semiconductor switch
an electronic power switch with semiconductor valve devices
[IEV 551-13-05] [df 165] [df 174]
NOTE Similar terms are used for electronic switches or power controllers with specific electronic valve devices,
for example thyristor controller, transistor switch.
3.1.4
non-controllable valve device
rectifier diode
a reverse blocking valve device the current path of which conducts in its conducting direction
without any control signal being applied
[IEV 551-14-04] [df 45] [df 105] [df 149]
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
[IEV 521-04-61] [df 178]
NOTE 1 Devices having only three layers but having switching characteristics similar to those of four layers
thyristors may also be called thyristors.
NOTE 2 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”.
3.1.6
reverse blocking triode thyristor
three-terminal thyristor which for negative anode voltage does not switch, but exhibits a
reverse blocking state
[IEV 521-04-63] [df 158] [df 179] [df 193]
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
[IEV 521-04-65] [df 159]
60146-1-1 © IEC:2009 – 11 –
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
[IEV 521-04-67, modified] [df 11] [df 188]
3.1.9
turn-off thyristor
GTO
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
[IEV 521-04-68] [df 79] [df 81] [df 195]
NOTE Also known as gate turn-off thyristor.
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 [df 124] [df 186]
NOTE 1 The structure of the device intrinsically provides the capability of amplification (see IEV 521-04-46)
NOTE 2 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
a single structure of one or more electronic valve devices with its (their) associated
mounting(s) and auxiliaries if any
[IEV 551-14-12] [df 171] [df 203]
3.1.12
valve device assembly
an electrically and mechanically combined assembly of electronic valve devices or stacks,
complete with all its connections and auxiliaries in its own mechanical structure
NOTE 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).
[IEV 551-14-13] [df 6] [df 201]
3.1.13
electronic valve device
an indivisible electronic device for electronic power conversion or electronic power switching,
comprising a non-controllable or bistably controlled unidirectionally conducting current path
[IEV 551-14-02 ] [df 61] [df 199]
3.1.14
semiconductor valve device
an electronic valve device which is a semiconductor device
[IEV 551-14-09] [df 166] [df 200]
NOTE 1 Typical semiconductor valve devices are thyristors, rectifier diodes, bipolar transistors, metal-oxide-
semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT).

– 12
...