IEC PAS 62543:2008

DC transmission using voltage sourced converters

IEC/PAS 62543 describes the VSC transmission technology, with a particular view to the issues to be considered when it is applied at voltages above 100 kV d.c., and power in excess of 100 MW. It provides information about the equipment included in a VSC transmission scheme, as well as the characteristics and performance that can be expected.

General Information

• Status: Replaced
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2008
• ICS: 29.200 - Rectifiers. Convertors. Stabilized power supply
• Technical Committee: SC 22F - Power electronics for electrical transmission and distribution systems
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Completion Date: 30-Mar-2011

Relations

• Replaced By: IEC TR 62543:2011 - High-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission using voltage sourced converters (VSC)
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC TR 62543:2022 - High-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission using voltage sourced converters (VSC)
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC/PAS 62543
Edition 1.0 2008-03
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
SPECIFICATION
PRE-STANDARD
DC transmission using voltage sourced converters

IEC/PAS 62543:2008(E)
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.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
IEC/PAS 62543
Edition 1.0 2008-03
PUBLICLY AVAILABLE
SPECIFICATION
PRE-STANDARD
DC transmission using voltage sourced converters

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XH
ICS 29.200 ISBN 2-8318-9639-8
– 2 – PAS 62543 © IEC:2008(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD .7

1. SCOPE .11
1.1 Introduction .11
1.3.1 VSC Transmission.12
1.3.2 VSC Phase Unit.12
1.3.3 VSC Unit.12
1.3.4 VSC Substation .12
1.3.5 Two-Level Converter .12
1.3.6 Three-Level Converter.12
1.3.7 Multi-Level Converter .12
1.3.8 VSC Pulse Number p .12
1.4 VSC Unit Equipment.13
1.4.1 VSC Valve .13
1.4.2 Diode Valve .13
1.4.3 VSC Valve Level.13
1.5 VSC Substation Equipment.13
1.5.1 Interface Transformer.13
1.5.2 Phase Reactor.13
1.5.3 VSC DC Capacitor.13
1.6 References .13
2. VSC TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS .14
2.1  Introduction .14
2.2 Examples of Possible VSC transmission Applications .15
2.3 The Voltage Sourced Converter as a Black Box .15
2.4 The Principles of Active and Reactive Power Control .16
2.4.1 The Principle of Active Power Control .16
2.4.2 Principle of Reactive Power Control .17
2.4.3 Basic PQ Diagram for a VSC Station.18
2.5 Operating Principles of a VSC transmission Scheme .19
2.6 Losses.19
2.7 Summary of the Basic Characteristics of VSC transmission.20
2.8 REFERENCES .21
3. BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF VSC TRANSMISSION.23
3.1  Introduction .23
3.2 Basic Operational Principle of Two-Level Converters .24
3.3  Two-Level VSC — Three-Phase Configuration.26
3.3.1 Terminal Voltages .26
3.3.2 Fundamental Frequency Equations — Square Wave Operation .27
3.4 Active and Reactive Power VSC .28
3.5 VSC Control and Harmonics.29
3.6 References.30
4. VSC TRANSMISSION TOPOLOGIES.31
4.1 Introduction.31
4.2 Converter Phase Unit Topologies .31
4.2.1 Converter Phase Unit Topologies—General Aspects.32
4.2.2 Two-Level Converters.33
4.2.3 Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converter.34
4.2.4 Multi-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converter .35
4.2.5 Three-Level Floating Capacitor Topology.36
4.2.6 Multi-Level Floating Capacitor Topology.37
4.3 Combination of Converter Phase Units .38
4.3.1 General .38
4.3.2 Combination Using Separate Transformer Windings .39
4.3.2.1 Series Connection of Converters .39
4.3.2.2 Parallel Connection of Converters.40
4.3.2.3 Series and Parallel Connection on the DC Side .41
4.4 Concluding Discussion .42
4.4.1 Converter Phase Unit Topologies .42
4.4.2 Combination of Converter Units.43
4.5. References.43

PAS 62543 © IEC:2008(E) – 3 –
5. VSC TRANSMISSION VALVES.44
5.1 Introduction.44
5.2 Semiconductors for VSC Transmission .44
5.2.1 Overview of High Power Semiconductors.44
5.2.2 Thyristors.44
5.2.3 GTO and IGCT (GCT) .45
5.2.4 IGBT Type Devices .45
5.2.5 Comparison of Devices.46
5.3 VSC Valve Design Considerations .47
5.3.1 Reliability (IGBT) .47
5.3.2 IGBT Current Rating.47
5.3.3 Transient Current Requirements.47
5.3.4 Diode Requirements .48
5.4 Thermal Design .49
5.4.1 Converter Power Losses.49
5.4.2 Cooling System Design .50
5.4.3 IGBT Losses.50
5.4.4 Voltage Rating .50
5.4.4.1 Aspects of Series Connection [5-1].51
5.4.4.2 Commutation Process .51
5.5 Mechanical Structure of the Valve [5-1].52
5.6 Valve Hall or Valve Enclosures .53
5.7 References .53
6. OTHER MAIN EQUIPMENT FOR VSC TRANSMISSION SCHEMES.54
6.1  Introduction .54
6.2  Power Components of a VSC transmission Scheme.55
6.3  VSC Substation Circuit-breaker.56
6.4  AC System Side Harmonic Filters .56
6.5 Radiofrequency Interference Filters .57
6.6 Interface Transformers and Phase Reactors .57
6.7  Converter Side Harmonic Filters and HF Blocking Filter.58
6.8 VSC DC Capacitor.60
6.9 DC Filter .
...