IEC TS 63106-1:2020

Simulators used for testing of photovoltaic power conversion equipment - Recommendations - Part 1: AC power simulators

IEC TS 63106-1:2020 provide recommendations for Low Voltage (LV) AC power simulators used for testing utility interactive photovoltaic power conversion equipment (PCE). This document establish terminology, and create a framework for, and provide guidance regarding the electrical performance of AC power simulators used to test utility interactive photovoltaic (PV) power conversion equipment (PCE) for compliance with grid interconnection standards.
It serves as a generalized guideline for the development of AC power simulators used within a test and evaluation system for PV PCEs.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Nov-2020
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: WG 6 - TC 82/WG 6
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 09-Dec-2020
• Completion Date: 19-Nov-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC TS 63106-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-11
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Simulators used for testing of photovoltaic power conversion equipment –
Recommendations –
Part 1: AC power simulators
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IEC TS 63106-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-11
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
Simulators used for testing of photovoltaic power conversion equipment –

Recommendations –
Part 1: AC power simulators
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-9035-4

– 2 – IEC TS 63106-1:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 7
4 PCE types with respect to AC voltage levels and grid interconnection . 9
5 Test setup for utility interactive PCEs . 10
5.1 General . 10
5.2 Test setup examples for utility interaction test . 11
5.2.1 General . 11
5.2.2 Types of AC power simulator systems . 11
5.2.3 Load . 12
5.2.4 Line impedance . 13
6 General recommendations for AC power simulators . 13
6.1 General . 13
6.1.1 Overview . 13
6.1.2 AC main connections . 13
6.1.3 Output transformer . 13
6.1.4 Number of phases and voltage range . 13
6.1.5 Frequency ranges supplied to EUT . 14
6.1.6 Voltage stability and accuracy . 14
6.1.7 Frequency stability and accuracy . 14
6.1.8 AC output voltage harmonic distortion . 14
6.1.9 Signal interface for hardware in the loop . 15
6.1.10 Durability against impulse test voltage . 15
6.1.11 Other requirements for test properties . 15
6.2 AC power simulator performance and characteristics . 15
Bibliography . 38

Figure 1 – Examples of ports . 8
Figure 2 – Example of connection of DG systems to utility grid . 10
Figure 3 – Examples of fundamental setup of EUT test system . 11

Table 1 – Typical maximum harmonic voltage distortion (as per IEC 61000-4-7:2002) . 14
Table 2 – Grid qualification/Requalification – In-range voltage before
connection/reconnection . 16
Table 3 – Grid qualification/Requalification – In-range frequency before
connection/reconnection . 17
Table 4 – Power capability: Nameplate P, Q, S under normal and near-normal grid
conditions . 18
Table 5 – Power capability: Limitation of P/Q/S/PF by setpoint . 19
Table 6 – Power capability: Ramp rate or soft start time-developing magnitude by
set rate . 20
Table 7 – Grid protection tests – AC over-voltage (OV) and under-voltage (UV) trip
tests . 21

Table 8 – Grid protection tests: OF/UF trips . 22
Table 9 – Grid protection tests: Anti-islanding . 23
Table 10 – Grid protection tests: ROCOF trips . 24
Table 11 – Grid protection tests: Open phase . 25
Table 12 – Power quality tests: Current harmonics, inter-harmonics, THDi . 26
Table 13 – Power quality tests: Flicker (continuous) . 27
Table 14 – Power quality tests: Current inrush (at connection switch close) . 28
Table 15 – Power quality tests: Current imbalance . 29
Table 16 – Power quality tests: Transient OV on load dump . 30
Table 17 – Grid support tests: UV/OV ride-through with/without Iq injection . 31
Table 18 – Grid support tests: UF/OF ride-through . 32
Table 19 – Grid support tests: ROCOF ride-through . 33
Table 20 – Grid support tests: Phase-jump ride-through. 34
Table 21 – Grid support tests: P (f), PF (P, V), Q (V), P (V) . 35
Table 22 – External command response tests: Magnitude accuracy for P/Q/S/PF by
setpoint . 36
Table 23 – External command response tests: Response to external setpoint changes

(response time, settling time) . 37

– 4 – IEC TS 63106-1:2020 © IEC 2020
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
SIMULATORS USED FOR TESTING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER
CONVERSION EQUIPMENT – RECOMMENDATIONS –

Part 1: AC power simulators
FOREWORD
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IEC TS 63106-1, which is a Technical Specification, has been prepared by IEC technical
committee 82: Solar photovoltaic energy systems.

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