IEC 62590:2010

Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electronic power converters for substations

IEC 62590:2010 specifies the requirements for the performance of all fixed installations electronic power converters, using controllable and/or non-controllable electronic valves, intended for traction power supply. The devices can be controlled by means of current, voltage or light. Non-bistable devices are assumed to be operated in the switched mode.

Applications ferroviaires - Installations fixes - Convertisseurs électroniques de puissance pour sous-stations

La CEI 62590:2010 spécifie les exigences de qualité de fonctionnement de tous les convertisseurs de puissance électroniques pour les installations fixes, utilisant des valves électroniques commandables et/ou non commandables et destinées à l'alimentation de traction. Les appareils peuvent être commandés par un courant, une tension ou une lumière. Les appareils non bistables sont supposés fonctionner en mode commuté.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Jun-2010
• ICS: 45.060.01 - Railway rolling stock in general
• Technical Committee: TC 9 - Electrical equipment and systems for railways
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 29-Jun-2018
• Completion Date: 23-Aug-2019

Relations

• Revised: IEC 62590:2019 - Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electronic power converters for substations
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62590


®

Edition 1.0 2010-06



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electronic power converters for
substations

Applications ferroviaires – Installations fixes – Convertisseurs électroniques de
puissance pour sous-stations



IEC 62590:2010

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
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IEC 62590


®

Edition 1.0 2010-06



INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD



NORME
INTERNATIONALE


Railway applications – Fixed installations – Electronic power converters for
substations

Applications ferroviaires – Installations fixes – Convertisseurs électroniques de
puissance pour sous-stations



INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
XA
CODE PRIX
ICS 45.060 ISBN 978-2-88912-000-0
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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– 2 – 62590 © IEC:2010


CONTENTS


FOREWORD.5

INTRODUCTION.7


1 Scope.8

2 Normative references .8

3 Terms and definitions .9

3.1 Semiconductor devices and combinations .9

3.2 Arms and connections .10

3.3 Controllability of converter arms and quadrants of operation .11
3.4 Commutation, quenching and commutation circuitry .11
3.5 Commutation characteristics .12
3.6 Rated values .15
3.7 Load capabilities .16
3.8 Specific voltages, currents and factors .16
3.9 Definitions related to virtual junction temperature .17
3.10 Cooling.18
3.11 Electromagnetic compatibility and harmonic distortion.19
4 Operation of semiconductor power equipment and valve devices.19
4.1 Classification of traction supply power converters and valves.19
4.1.1 Types of traction supply power converters .19
4.1.2 Purpose of conversion .19
4.1.3 Classification of semiconductor valve devices .19
4.2 Principal letter symbols .20
4.3 Basic calculation factors for line commutated converters .21
4.3.1 Voltage.21
4.3.2 Voltage characteristics and transition current .21
5 Service conditions .22
5.1 Code of identification of cooling method .22
5.1.1 Letter symbols to be used.22
5.1.2 Arrangement of letter symbols .22
5.2 Environmental conditions .23
5.2.1 Ambient air circulation .23
5.2.2 Normal service conditions.23

5.2.3 Special service conditions .24
5.3 Electrical service conditions .25
5.3.1 General .25
5.3.2 Limiting values as basis of rating.25
5.3.3 DC traction supply voltage.26
6 Converter equipment and assemblies .26
6.1 Electrical connections.26
6.2 Calculation factors.28
6.2.1 Current factor on the a.c. side .28
6.2.2 Voltage drop.29
6.3 Losses and efficiency .29
6.3.1 General .29
6.3.2 Included losses.29
6.4 Power factor.29

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62590 © IEC:2010 – 3 –


6.5 Direct voltage harmonic content .30

6.6 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) .30

6.7 Rated values for converters.30

6.7.1 General .30

6.7.2 Current values.31

6.7.3 Capability for unsymmetrical load of a 12-pulse converter in parallel

connection.33

6.7.4 Semiconductor device failure conditions .33

6.8 Mechanical characteristics .33

6.8.1 General .33

6.8.2 Earthing.34
6.8.3 Degree of protection .34
6.9 Marking .34
6.9.1 Rating plate.34
6.9.2 Main circuit terminals.35
7 Tests .35
7.1 General .35
7.1.1 Performance of tests .35
7.1.2 Test schedule .35
7.2 Test specifications.36
7.2.1 Insulation tests .36
7.2.2 Light load functional test.38
7.2.3 Load test .38
7.2.4 Power loss determination .39
7.2.5 Temperature-rise test .39
7.2.6 Checking of auxiliary devices .40
7.2.7 Checking of the properties of the control equipment .40
7.2.8 Checking of the protective devices .40
7.2.9 Short-time withstand current test .41
7.2.10 Additional tests.41
Annex A (informative) Information required .42
Annex B (informative) Determination of the current capability through calculation of
the virtual junction temperature.48
Annex C (informative) Index of definitions.53
Bibliography.55


Figure 1 – Illustration of angles.14
Figure 2 – Voltage drop .21
Figure 3 – AC voltage waveform .26
Figure B.1 – Approximation of the shape of power pulses .49
Figure B.2 – Calculation of the virtual junction temperature for continuous load .50
Figure B.3 – Calculation of the virtual junction temperature for cyclic load .51

Table 1 – Letter symbols for cooling mediums and heat transfer agents.22
Table 2 – Letter symbols for methods of circulation .22
Table 3 – Connections and calculation factors for line commutated converters .28
Table 4 – Standardized duty classes.31

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Table 5 – Semiconductor device failure conditions.33

Table 6 – Summary of tests .36


Table 7 – Insulation levels for a.c./d.c. converters .38

Table B.1 – Examples for typical applications .52

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62590 © IEC:2010 – 5 –


INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________



RAILWAY APPLICATIONS –

FIXED INSTALLATIONS –

ELECTRONIC POWER CONVERTERS FOR SUBSTATIONS





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
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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 62590 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 9: Electrical

equipment and systems for railways.
This standard is based on EN 50328.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
9/1387/FDIS 9/1411/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.

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– 6 – 62590 © IEC:2010


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.

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62590 © IEC:2010 – 7 –


INTRODUCTION


Semiconductor converters for traction power supply differ from other converters for industrial

use due to special electrical service conditions and due to the large range of load variation

and the peculiar characteristics of the load.


For these reasons IEC 60146-1-1 does not fully cover the requirements of railway applications

and the decision was taken to have a specific standard for this use.


Converter transformers for fixed installations of railway applications are covered by

EN 50329.

Harmonization of the rated values and tests of the whole converter group are covered by
IEC 62589.

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– 8 – 62590 © IEC:2010


RAILWAY APPLICATIONS –

FIXED INSTALLATIONS –

ELECTRONIC POWER CONVERTERS FOR SUBSTATIONS







1 Scope

This International Standard specifies the requirements for the performance of all fixed

installations electronic power converters, using controllable and/or non-controllable electronic

valves, intended for traction power supply.

The devices can be controlled by means of current, voltage or light. Non-bistable devices are
assumed to be operated in the switched mode.
This Standard applies to fixed installations of following electric traction systems:
– railways,
– guided mass transport systems such as: tramways, light rail systems, elevated and
underground railways, mountain railways, trolleybusses.
This Standard does not apply to
– cranes, transportable platforms and similar transportation equipment on rails,
– suspended cable cars,
– funicular railways.
This Standard applies to diode rectifiers, controlled rectifiers, inverters and frequency
converters.
The equipment covered in this Standard is the converter itself.
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 60050-551:1998, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 551: Power
Electronics

IEC 60050-811:1991, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Chapter 811: Electric
traction
IEC 60146 (all parts), Semiconductor convertors
IEC 60146-1-2:1991, Semiconductor convertors – General requirements and line commutated
convertors – Part 1-2: Application guide
IEC 60529:1989, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60721 (all parts), Classification of environmental conditions
IEC 60850:2007, Railway applications – Supply voltages of traction systems

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62590 © IEC:2010 – 9 –


IEC 61000-2-4:2002, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-4: Environment –

Compatibility levels in industrial plants for low-frequency conducted disturbances


IEC 61000-2-12:2003, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-12: Environment –

Compatibility levels for low-frequency conducted disturbances and signalling in public

medium-voltage power supply systems


IEC 61992-7-1:2006, Railway applications – Fixed installations – DC switchgear – Part 7-1:

Measurement, control and protection devices for specific use in d.c. traction systems –

Application guide


IEC 62236 (all parts), Railway applications – Electromagnetic compatibility
IEC 62236-5:2008, Railway applications – Electromagnetic compatibility – Part 5: Emission
and immunity of fixed power supply installations and apparatus
IEC 62497-1:2010, Railway applications – Insulation coordination – Part 1: Basic
requirements - Clearances and creepage distances for all electrical and electronic equipment
EN 50329:2003, Railway applications – Fixed installations – Traction transformers
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.
The policy adopted is as follows:
a) when a suitable IEV definition exists, the term and the reference are given without
repeating the text;
b) when an existing IEV definition needs amplification or additional information, the term, the
reference and the additional text are given;
c) when no IEV definition exists, the term and the text are given.
An alphabetical index is given in Annex C.
3.1 Semiconductor devices and combinations
3.1.1
semiconductor device

device whose essential characteristics are due to the flow of charge carriers within a
semiconductor
3.1.2
(valve device) stack
[IEV 551-14-12]
3.1.3
(valve device) assembly
[IEV 551-14-13]
3.1.4
electronic power converter
operative unit for power conversion comprising one or more assemblies of semiconductor
devices
[IEV 551-12-01, modified]

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– 10 – 62590 © IEC:2010


3.1.5

trigger equipment (gating equipment)

equipment which provides suitable trigger pulses from a control signal for controllable valve

devices in a converter or power switch including timing or phase shifting circuits, pulse

generating circuits and usually power supply circuits


3.1.6

system control equipment

equipment associated with a converter equipment or system which performs automatic

adjustment of the output characteristics as a function of a controlled quantity


3.2 Arms and connections
3.2.1
(valve) arm
[IEV 551-15-01]
3.2.2
principal arm
[IEV 551-15-02]
3.2.3
converter connection
[IEV 551-15-10]
3.2.4
basic converter connection
[IEV 551-15-11]
3.2.5
single-way connection (of a converter)
[IEV 551-15-12]
3.2.6
double-way connection (of a converter)
[IEV 551-15-13]
3.2.7
uniform connection
[IEV 551-15-15]
3.2.8
non-uniform connection
[IEV 551-15-18]
3.2.9
series connection
connection in which two or more converters are connected in such a way that their voltages
add
3.2.10
boost and buck connection
series connection in which the converters are controlled independently
[IEV 551-15-21, modified]

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62590 © IEC:2010 – 11 –


3.2.11

parallel connection

connection in which two or more converters are connected in such a way that their currents

add


3.3 Controllability of converter arms and quadrants of operation


3.3.1

controllable arm
converter arm including controllable semiconductor element(s) as valve device(s)



3.3.2
non-controllable arm
converter arm including non-controllable semiconductor element(s) as valve device(s)
3.3.3
quadrant of operation (on the d.c. side)
quadrant of the voltage current plane defined by the d.c. voltage polarity and the current
direction
3.3.4
one quadrant converter
[IEV 551-12-34]
3.3.5
two quadrant (single) converter
[IEV 551-12-35]
3.3.6
four quadrant (double) converter
[IEV 551-12-36]
3.3.7
reversible converter
[IEV 551-12-37]
3.3.8
single converter
[IEV 551-12-38]
3.3.9
double converter
[IEV 551-12-39]
3.3.10
converter section of a double converter
[IEV 551-12-40]
3.4 Commutation, quenching and commutation circuitry
3.4.1
commutation
transfer of current from one conducting arm to the next to conduct in sequence, without
interruption of the d.c. current. During a finite interval of time both arms are conducting
simultaneously
[IEV 551-16-01, modified]

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3.4.2

quenching

[IEV 551-16-19]


3.4.3

direct commutation

[IEV 551-16-09]


3.4.4

indirect commutation

[IEV 551-16-10]

3.4.5
external commutation
[IEV 551-16-11]
3.4.6
line commutation
[IEV 551-16-12]
3.4.7
load commutation
[IEV 551-16-13]
3.4.8
self commutation
[IEV 551-16-15]
3.5 Commutation characteristics
3.5.1
commutation circuit
[IEV 551-16-03]
3.5.2
commutating voltage
[IEV 551-16-02]
3.5.3
commutation inductance
total inductance included in the commutation circuit, in series with the commutating voltage

[IEV 551-16-07, modified]
NOTE For line or machine commutated converters the commutation reactance is the impedance of the
commutation inductance at the fundamental frequency.
3.5.4
angle of overlap u
duration of the commutation interval between a pair of principal arms, expressed in angular
measure, where the two arms carry current
[IEV 551-16-05, modified]
3.5.5
commutation notch
periodic voltage transient that
...