IEC 61954:2021

Static VAR compensators (SVC) - Testing of thyristor valves

IEC 61954:2021 is available as IEC 61954:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 61954:2021 defines type, production and optional tests on thyristor valves used in thyristor controlled reactors (TCR), thyristor switched reactors (TSR) and thyristor switched capacitors (TSC) forming part of static VAR compensators (SVC) for power system applications. The requirements of the document apply both to single valve units (one phase) and to multiple valve units (several phases). Clauses 4 to 7 detail the type tests, i.e. tests which are carried out to verify that the valve design meets the requirements specified. Clause 8 covers the production tests, i.e. tests which are carried out to verify proper manufacturing. Clauses 9 and 10 detail optional tests, i.e. tests additional to the type and production tests. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: important clarifications were made in 4.4.1.2, 5.1.2.2, 5.1.3.2, 5.2.3.2, 6.1.2.2, 6.1.2.4, 6.1.3.2, 6.2.2.2, 6.2.2.4, 6.3.2.2 and 9.3.2.

Compensateurs statiques de puissance réactive (SVC) - Essais des valves à thyristors

IEC 61954:2021 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61954:2021 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.
L'IEC 61954:2021 définit les essais de type, les essais de production et les essais facultatifs des valves à thyristors utilisées dans les bobines d'inductance commandées par thyristors (TCR - thyristor controlled reactor), les bobines d'inductance commutées par thyristors (TSR - thyristor switched reactor) et les condensateurs commutés par thyristors (TSC - thyristor switched capacitor) qui font partie des compensateurs statiques de puissance réactive (SVC - static VAR compensator) pour des applications de système de puissance. Les exigences du présent document s'appliquent tant aux unités à valve unique (monophasées) qu'aux unités à valves multiples (polyphasées). Les Articles 4 à 7 décrivent les essais de type, c’est-à-dire les essais effectués pour assurer que la conception des valves satisfait aux exigences spécifiées. L’Article 8 traite des essais de production, c'est-à-dire les essais effectués pour assurer que la fabrication est correcte. Les Articles 9 et 10 décrivent des essais facultatifs, c’est-à-dire des essais supplémentaires aux essais de type et de production. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l’édition précédente: d’importantes clarifications ont été apportées en 4.4.1.2, 5.1.2.2, 5.1.3.2, 5.2.3.2, 6.1.2.2, 6.1.2.4, 6.1.3.2, 6.2.2.2, 6.2.2.4, 6.3.2.2 et 9.3.2.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Oct-2021
• ICS: 29.240.99 - Other equipment related to power transmission and distribution networks
• ICS: 31.080.20 - Thyristors
• Technical Committee: SC 22F - Power electronics for electrical transmission and distribution systems
• Drafting Committee: MT 10 - TC 22/SC 22F/MT 10
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 29-Oct-2021
• Completion Date: 04-Oct-2021

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61954:2011/AMD2:2017 - Amendment 2 - Static var compensators (SVC) - Testing of thyristor valves
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61954:2011 - Static var compensators (SVC) - Testing of thyristor valves
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 61954:2011/AMD1:2013 - Amendment 1 - Static var compensators (SVC) - Testing of thyristor valves
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61954
®

Edition 3.0 2021-10
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Static VAR compensators (SVC) – Testing of thyristor valves

Compensateurs statiques de puissance réactive (SVC) – Essais des valves à
thyristors

IEC 61954:2021-10(en-fr)

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
THIS PUBLICATION IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
Copyright © 2021 IEC, Geneva, Switzerland

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.


Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland

About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC online collection - oc.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced have access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 000 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and
and French, with equivalent terms in 18 additional languages.
once a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].


A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC - IEC online collection - oc.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications. Avec un
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, abonnement, vous aurez toujours accès à un contenu à jour
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur adapté à vos besoins.
les projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
monde, avec plus de 22 000 articles terminologiques en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
16 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
[e-mail].

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
IEC 61954

®


Edition 3.0 2021-10




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


INTERNATIONALE












Static VAR compensators (SVC) – Testing of thyristor valves



Compensateurs statiques de puissance réactive (SVC) – Essais des valves à


thyristors

















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE

INTERNATIONALE




ICS 29.240.99; 31.080.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-1033-1




Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references. 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 General requirements for type, production and optional tests . 9
4.1 Summary of tests . 9
4.2 Objectives of tests . 10
4.2.1 General . 10
4.2.2 Dielectric tests . 10
4.2.3 Operational tests . 10
4.2.4 Electromagnetic interference tests . 11
4.2.5 Production tests . 11
4.2.6 Optional tests. 11
4.3 Guidelines for the performance of type and optional tests . 11
4.4 Test conditions . 12
4.4.1 General . 12
4.4.2 Valve temperature at testing . 13
4.4.3 Redundant thyristor levels . 13
4.5 Permissible component failures during type testing . 14
4.6 Documentation of test results . 14
4.6.1 Test reports to be issued . 14
4.6.2 Contents of a type test report . 15
5 Type tests on TCR and TSR valves . 15
5.1 Dielectric tests between valve terminals and earth . 15
5.1.1 General . 15
5.1.2 AC test . 16
5.1.3 Lightning impulse test . 16
5.2 Dielectric tests between valves (MVU only) . 17
5.2.1 General . 17
5.2.2 AC test . 17
5.2.3 Lightning impulse test . 18
5.3 Dielectric tests between valve terminals . 18
5.3.1 General . 18
5.3.2 AC test . 18
5.3.3 Switching impulse test . 20
5.4 Operational tests . 21
5.4.1 Periodic firing and extinction test . 21
5.4.2 Minimum AC voltage test . 22
5.4.3 Temperature rise test . 23
6 Type tests on TSC valves . 23
6.1 Dielectric tests between valve terminals and earth . 23
6.1.1 General . 23
6.1.2 AC-DC test . 24
6.1.3 Lightning impulse test . 25
6.2 Dielectric tests between valves (for MVU only) . 26
6.2.1 General . 26

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021 – 3 –
6.2.2 AC-DC test . 26
6.2.3 Lightning impulse test . 28
6.3 Dielectric tests between valve terminals . 28
6.3.1 General . 28
6.3.2 AC-DC test . 28
6.3.3 Switching impulse test . 30
6.4 Operational tests . 31
6.4.1 Overcurrent tests . 31
6.4.2 Minimum AC voltage test . 35
6.4.3 Temperature rise test . 36
7 Electromagnetic interference tests . 36
7.1 Objectives . 36
7.2 Test procedures . 36
7.2.1 General . 36
7.2.2 Switching impulse test . 37
7.2.3 Non-periodic firing test . 37
8 Production tests . 37
8.1 General . 37
8.2 Visual inspection . 37
8.3 Connection check . 37
8.4 Voltage-dividing/damping circuit check . 38
8.5 Voltage withstand check . 38
8.6 Check of auxiliaries . 38
8.7 Firing check . 38
8.8 Cooling system pressure test . 38
8.9 Partial discharge tests . 38
9 Optional tests on TCR and TSR valves . 38
9.1 Overcurrent test . 38
9.1.1 Overcurrent with subsequent blocking . 38
9.1.2 Overcurrent without blocking . 39
9.2 Positive voltage transient during recovery test . 39
9.2.1 Objectives . 39
9.2.2 Test values and waveshapes . 39
9.2.3 Test procedures . 40
9.3 Non-periodic firing test . 40
9.3.1 Objectives . 40
9.3.2 Test values and waveshapes . 40
9.3.3 Test procedures . 41
10 Optional tests on TSC valves . 42
10.1 Positive voltage transient during recovery test . 42
10.1.1 Test objective . 42
10.1.2 Test values and waveshapes . 42
10.1.3 Test procedures . 42
10.2 Non-periodic firing test . 42
10.2.1 Objectives . 42
10.2.2 Test values and waveshapes . 43
10.2.3 Test procedures . 44

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
– 4 – IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021
Figure 1 – TSC branch . 33
Figure 2 – One-loop overcurrent . 34
Figure 3 – Two-loop overcurrent . 35

Table 1 – List of tests . 9
Table 2 – Number of thyristor levels permitted to fail during type tests . 15

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

STATIC VAR COMPENSATORS (SVC) –
TESTING OF THYRISTOR VALVES

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 61954 has been prepared by subcommittee 22F: Power electronics
for electrical transmission and distribution systems, of IEC technical committee 22: Power
electronic systems and equipment.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011,
Amendment 1:2013 and Amendment 2:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition: important clarifications were made in 4.4.1.2, 5.1.2.2, 5.1.3.2, 5.2.3.2, 6.1.2.2,
6.1.2.4, 6.1.3.2, 6.2.2.2, 6.2.2.4, 6.3.2.2 and 9.3.2.

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
– 6 – IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
22F/642/FDIS 22F/658/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard 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/standardsdev/publications.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021 – 7 –
STATIC VAR COMPENSATORS (SVC) –
TESTING OF THYRISTOR VALVES



1 Scope
This document defines type, production and optional tests on thyristor valves used in thyristor
controlled reactors (TCR), thyristor switched reactors (TSR) and thyristor switched capacitors
(TSC) forming part of static VAR compensators (SVC) for power system applications. The
requirements of the document apply both to single valve units (one phase) and to multiple
valve units (several phases).
Clauses 4 to 7 detail the type tests, i.e. tests which are carried out to verify that the valve
design meets the requirements specified. Clause 8 covers the production tests, i.e. tests
which are carried out to verify proper manufacturing. Clauses 9 and 10 detail optional tests,
i.e. tests additional to the type and production tests.
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 60060 (all parts), High-voltage test techniques
IEC 60060-1:2010, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test
requirements
IEC 60060-2, High-voltage test techniques – Part 2: Measuring systems
IEC 60071 (all parts), Insulation co-ordination
IEC 60071-1:2019, Insulation co-ordination – Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules
IEC 60270, High-voltage test techniques – Partial discharge measurements
IEC 60700-1:2015, Thyristor valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission
– Part 1: Electrical testing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
– 8 – IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021
3.1
thyristor level
part of a thyristor valve comprising a thyristor, or thyristors connected in parallel or anti-
parallel, together with their immediate auxiliaries and reactor, if any
3.2
thyristor (series) string
series connected thyristors forming one direction of a thyristor valve
3.3
valve reactor
reactor incorporated within some valves for limitation of stresses
Note 1 to entry: For testing purposes it is considered an integral part of the valve.
3.4
valve section
electrical assembly, comprising a number of thyristors and other components, which exhibits
pro-rated electrical properties of a complete thyristor valve, but only a portion of the full
voltage blocking capability of the thyristor valve, and which can be used for tests
3.5
thyristor valve
electrically and mechanically combined assembly of thyristor levels, complete with all
connections, auxiliary components and mechanical structures, which can be connected in
series with each phase of the reactor or capacitor of an SVC
3.6
valve structure
physical structure which insulates the valves to the appropriate level above earth potential
and from each other
3.7
valve base electronics
VBE
electronic unit, at earth potential, which is the interface between the control system of the
SVC and the thyristor valves
3.8
multiple valve unit
MVU
assembly of several valves in the same physical structure which cannot be separated for test
purposes (e.g. three-phase valves)
3.9
redundant thyristor levels
maximum number of thyristor levels in the thyristor valve that may be short-circuited,
externally or internally, during service without affecting the safe operation of the thyristor
valve as demonstrated by type tests; and which if and when exceeded, would require either
the shutdown of the thyristor valve to replace the failed thyristors, or the acceptance of
increased risk of failures
3.10
voltage breakover (VBO) protection
means of protecting the thyristors from excessive voltage by firing them at a predetermined
voltage

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021 – 9 –
4 General requirements for type, production and optional tests
4.1 Summary of tests
Table 1 lists the tests given in the following clauses and subclauses.
Table 1 – List of tests
Test Subclause Test object
TCR/TSR TSC
Dielectric tests between valve terminals and earth (type tests)
AC test 5.1.2 Valve
AC-DC test 6.1.2 Valve
Lightning impulse test 5.1.3 6.1.3 Valve
Dielectric tests between valves (MVU only) (type tests)
AC test 5.2.2 MVU
AC-DC test 6.2.2 MVU
Lightning impulse test 5.2.3 6.2.3 MVU
Dielectric tests between valve terminals (type tests)
AC test 5.3.2 Valve
AC-DC test 6.3.2 Valve
Switching impulse test 5.3.3 6.3.3 Valve
Operational tests (type tests)
Periodic firing and extinction test 5.4.1 Valve or valve section
Overcurrent test 6.4.1 Valve or valve section
Minimum AC voltage test 5.4.2 6.4.2 Valve or valve section
Temperature rise test 5.4.3 6.4.3 Valve or valve section
Electromagnetic interference tests (type tests)
Switching impulse test 7.2.2 7.2.2 Valve
Non-periodic firing test 7.2.3 7.2.3 Valve
Production tests
Visual inspection 8.2 8.2
Connection check 8.3 8.3
Voltage dividing/damping circuit check 8.4 8.4
Voltage withstand check 8.5 8.5
Check of auxiliaries 8.6 8.6
Firing check 8.7 8.7
Cooling system pressure test 8.8 8.8
Partial discharge tests 8.9 8.9
Optional tests
Overcurrent test 9.1 Valve or valve section
Positive voltage transient during recovery test 9.2 10.1 Valve or valve section
Non-periodic firing test 9.3 10.2 Valve or valve section

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
– 10 – IEC 61954:2021 © IEC 2021
4.2 Objectives of tests
4.2.1 General
The tests described apply to the valve (or valve sections), the valve structure and those parts
of the coolant distribution system and firing and monitoring circuits which are contained within
the valve structure or connected between the valve structure and earth. Other equipment,
such as valve control and protection and valve base electronics may be essential for
demonstrating the correct function of the valve during the tests but are not in themselves the
subject of the tests.
4.2.2 Dielectric tests
4.2.2.1 General
Tests for the following dielectric stresses are specified:
– AC voltage;
– combined AC and DC voltage (TSC only);
– impulse voltages.
In the interest of standardization with other equipment, lightning impulse tests between valve
terminals and earth and between phases of an MVU are included. For tests between valve
terminals, the only impulse test specified is a switching impulse.
4.2.2.2 Tests on va
...