SIST EN IEC 62501:2024
(Main)Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission - Electrical testing (IEC 62501:2024)
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission - Electrical testing (IEC 62501:2024)
IEC 62501:2024 applies to self-commutated converter valves, for use in a three-phase bridge voltage sourced converter (VSC) for high voltage DC power transmission or as part of a back-to-back link, and to dynamic braking valves. It is restricted to electrical type and production tests. This document can be used as a guide for testing of high-voltage VSC valves used in energy storage systems (ESS). The tests specified in this document are based on air insulated valves. The test requirements and acceptance criteria can be used for guidance to specify the electrical type and production tests of other types of valves. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Conditions for use of evidence in lieu are inserted as a new Table 1;
b) Test parameters for valve support DC voltage test, 7.3.2, and MVU DC voltage test, 8.4.1, updated;
c) AC-DC voltage test between valve terminals, Clause 9, is restructured and alternative tests, by individual AC and DC voltage tests, added in 9.4.2;
d) Partial discharge test in routine test program is removed;
e) More information on valve component fault tolerance, Annex B, is added;
f) Valve losses determination is added as Annex C.
Ventile von Spannungszwischenkreis-Stromrichtern (VSC) für die Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung (HGÜ) – Elektrische Prüfung (IEC 62501:2024)
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le transport d'énergie en courant continu à haute tension (CCHT) - Essais électriques (IEC 62501:2024)
L'IEC 62501:2024 s'applique aux valves à convertisseur auto-commuté, conçues pour être utilisées dans un convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) en pont triphasé pour le transport d'énergie en courant continu à haute tension ou dans une liaison dos-à-dos, ainsi qu'aux valves à freinage dynamique. Elle est limitée aux essais de type électriques et de série. Le présent document peut servir de guide pour les essais des valves à VSC à haute tension utilisées dans les systèmes de stockage d'énergie (ESS). Les essais spécifiés dans le présent document sont basés sur des valves isolées par l'air. Les exigences d'essai et les critères d'acceptation peuvent servir de guide pour spécifier les essais de type électriques et de série d'autres types de valves. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) un nouveau tableau relatif aux conditions d'utilisation de la substitution de preuve (Tableau 1) a été inséré;
b) les paramètres d'essai relatifs à l'essai de support de valve sous tension continue (7.3.2) et à l'essai de MVU sous tension continue (8.4.1) ont été mis à jour;
c) l'Article 9 concernant l'essai sous tension alternative-continue entre les bornes de valve a été réorganisé et des variantes ont été ajoutées en 9.4.2 pour les essais individuels sous tension alternative et continue;
d) l'essai de décharge partielle a été supprimé du programme des essais individuels de série;
e) des informations complémentaires relatives à la tolérance aux pannes des composants de valve ont été ajoutées à l'Annexe B;
f) la détermination des pertes de valve a été ajoutée à l'Annexe C.
Elektronke za pretvornike napetostnih virov (VSC) za enosmerni visokonapetostni prenos električne energije (HVDC) - Električno preskušanje (IEC 62501:2024)
Standard IEC 62501:2024 se uporablja za elektronke za pretvornike z lastno komutacijo za uporabo v trifaznih pretvornikih napetostnih virov (VSC) za enosmerni visokonapetostni prenos električne energije ali kot del povezave zaporedne vrste in za dinamične zavorne ventile. Omejen je na električno vrsto in proizvodne preskuse. Ta dokument je mogoče uporabljati kot vodilo za preskušanje elektronk za pretvornike visokonapetostnih virov, ki se uporabljajo v sistemih za shranjevanje energije (ESS). Preskusi, določeni v tem dokumentu, temeljijo na zračno izoliranih elektronkah. Zahteve glede preskusa in merila sprejemljivosti je mogoče uporabiti kot vodilo pri določanju električne vrste in proizvodnih preskusov drugih vrst elektronk. Ta izdaja v primerjavi s prejšnjo vključuje naslednje pomembne tehnične spremembe:
a) pogoji za uporabo nadomestnih dokazov so bili vstavljeni kot nova preglednica 1;
b) preskusni parametri za preskus enosmerne napetosti za elektronke (7.3.2) in za MVU (8.4.1) so bili posodobljeni;
c) preskus enosmerne/izmenične napetosti med priključki elektronke (točka 9) so bili preoblikovani ter v točki 9.4.2 so bili dodani alternativni preskusi s posamičnim preskušanjem enosmerne oziroma izmenične napetosti;
d) preskus delne razelektritve v programu rutinskih preskusov je bil odstranjen;
e) dodanih je bilo več informacij o toleranci okvar sestavnih delov elektronke (dodatek B);
f) določevanje izgub elektronk je bilo dodano kot dodatek C.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2024
Elektronke za pretvornike napetostnih virov (VSC) za enosmerni visokonapetostni
prenos električne energije (HVDC) - Električno preskušanje (IEC 62501:2024)
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power
transmission - Electrical testing (IEC 62501:2024)
Ventile von Spannungszwischenkreis-Stromrichtern (VSC) für die
Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung (HGÜ) – Elektrische Prüfung (IEC 62501:2024)
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le transport d'énergie en
courant continu à haute tension (CCHT) - Essais électriques (IEC 62501:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 62501:2024
ICS:
29.200 Usmerniki. Pretvorniki. Rectifiers. Convertors.
Stabilizirano električno Stabilized power supply
napajanje
29.240.01 Omrežja za prenos in Power transmission and
distribucijo električne energije distribution networks in
na splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 62501
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM May 2024
ICS 29.200; 29.240.99 Supersedes EN 62501:2009;
EN 62501:2009/A1:2014;
EN 62501:2009/A2:2017
English Version
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct
current (HVDC) power transmission - Electrical testing
(IEC 62501:2024)
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le Ventile von Spannungszwischenkreis-Stromrichtern (VSC)
transport d'énergie en courant continu à haute tension für die Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung (HGÜ) -
(CCHT) - Essais électriques Elektrische Prüfung
(IEC 62501:2024) (IEC 62501:2024)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2024-05-15. 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 CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre 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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre 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, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 62501:2024 E
European foreword
The text of document 22F/731/CDV, future edition 2 of IEC 62501, prepared by SC 22F "Power
electronics for electrical transmission and distribution systems" of IEC/TC 22 "Power electronic
systems and equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 62501:2024.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2025-02-15
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2027-05-15
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 62501:2009 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62501:2024 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 standard indicated:
IEC 60146-2 NOTE Approved as EN 60146-2
IEC 62751-1 NOTE Approved as EN 62751-1
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the
relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60060 series High-voltage test techniques EN 60060 series
IEC 60071 series Insulation co-ordination EN IEC 60071 series
IEC 60270 - High-voltage test techniques - Partial EN 60270 -
discharge measurements
IEC 60700-1 2015 Thyristor valves for high voltage direct EN 60700-1 2015
current (HVDC) power transmission - Part
1: Electrical testing
+ AMD1 2021 + A1 2021
IEC 62747 - Terminology for voltage-sourced EN 62747 -
converters (VSC) for high-voltage direct
current (HVDC) systems
ISO/IEC 17025 - General requirements for the competence EN ISO/IEC 17025 -
of testing and calibration laboratories
IEC 62501 ®
Edition 2.0 2024-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Voltage sourced converter (VSC) valves for high-voltage direct current (HVDC)
power transmission – Electrical testing
Valves à convertisseur de source de tension (VSC) pour le transport d'énergie
en courant continu à haute tension (CCHT) – Essais électriques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.200, 29.240.99 ISBN 978-2-8322-8514-5
– 2 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
3.1 Insulation coordination terms . 8
3.2 Power semiconductor terms . 8
3.3 Operating states of converter . 8
3.4 VSC construction terms . 9
3.5 Valve structure terms . 10
4 General requirements . 11
4.1 Guidelines for the performance of type tests . 11
4.1.1 Evidence in lieu . 11
4.1.2 Selection of test object . 12
4.1.3 Test procedure . 12
4.1.4 Ambient temperature for testing . 12
4.1.5 Frequency for testing . 12
4.1.6 Test reports . 12
4.1.7 Conditions to be considered in determination of type test parameters . 12
4.2 Atmospheric correction factor . 13
4.3 Treatment of redundancy . 13
4.3.1 Operational tests . 13
4.3.2 Dielectric tests . 13
4.4 Criteria for successful type testing . 14
4.4.1 General . 14
4.4.2 Criteria applicable to valve levels . 14
4.4.3 Criteria applicable to the valve as a whole . 15
5 List of type tests . 15
6 Operational tests . 16
6.1 Purpose of tests . 16
6.2 Test object . 16
6.3 Test circuit . 17
6.4 Maximum continuous operating duty test . 17
6.5 Maximum temporary over-load operating duty test . 18
6.6 Minimum DC voltage test . 18
7 Dielectric tests on valve support structure . 19
7.1 Purpose of tests . 19
7.2 Test object . 19
7.3 Test requirements . 19
7.3.1 General . 19
7.3.2 Valve support DC voltage test. 19
7.3.3 Valve support AC voltage test . 20
7.3.4 Valve support switching impulse test . 21
7.3.5 Valve support lightning impulse test . 21
8 Dielectric tests on multiple valve unit . 22
8.1 General . 22
8.2 Purpose of tests . 22
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 3 –
8.3 Test object . 22
8.4 Test requirements . 22
8.4.1 MVU DC voltage test to earth . 22
8.4.2 MVU AC voltage test . 23
8.4.3 MVU switching impulse test . 24
8.4.4 MVU lightning impulse test . 25
9 Dielectric tests between valve terminals . 25
9.1 Purpose of the test . 25
9.2 Test object . 26
9.3 Test methods . 26
9.3.1 General . 26
9.3.2 Method one . 27
9.3.3 Method two . 27
9.4 Test requirements . 28
9.4.1 Composite AC-DC voltage test . 28
9.4.2 Alternative tests (Method 2 only) . 29
9.4.3 Valve impulse tests . 31
10 IGBT overcurrent turn-off test . 33
10.1 Purpose of test . 33
10.2 Test object . 33
10.3 Test requirements . 33
11 Short-circuit current test . 34
11.1 Purpose of tests . 34
11.2 Test object . 34
11.3 Test requirements . 34
12 Tests for valve insensitivity to electromagnetic disturbance . 35
12.1 Purpose of tests . 35
12.2 Test object . 35
12.3 Test requirements . 36
12.3.1 General . 36
12.3.2 Approach one . 36
12.3.3 Approach two . 36
12.3.4 Acceptance criteria . 36
13 Tests for dynamic braking valves . 36
14 Production tests. 37
14.1 General . 37
14.2 Purpose of tests . 37
14.3 Test object . 37
14.4 Test requirements . 37
14.5 Production test objectives . 38
14.5.1 Visual inspection . 38
14.5.2 Connection check . 38
14.5.3 Voltage-grading circuit check . 38
14.5.4 Control, protection and monitoring circuit checks . 38
14.5.5 Voltage withstand check . 38
14.5.6 Turn-on / turn-off check . 38
14.5.7 Pressure test . 38
15 Presentation of type test results . 39
– 4 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
Annex A (informative) Overview of VSC converters in HVDC power transmission . 40
A.1 General . 40
A.2 VSC basics . 40
A.3 Overview of main types of VSC valve . 42
A.4 Switch type VSC valve . 42
A.4.1 General . 42
A.4.2 2-level converter . 43
A.4.3 Multi-level diode clamped converter . 43
A.4.4 Multi-level flying capacitor converter . 44
A.5 Controllable voltage source type VSC valve . 45
A.5.1 General . 45
A.5.2 Modular multi-level converter (MMC) . 46
A.5.3 Cascaded two-level converter (CTL) . 47
A.5.4 Terminology for valves of the controllable voltage source type . 48
A.6 Hybrid VSC valves . 50
A.7 Main differences between VSC and conventional HVDC valves. 50
Annex B (informative) Valve component fault tolerance. 51
Annex C (informative) Valve losses determination . 53
Bibliography . 54
Figure A.1 – A single VSC phase unit and its idealized output voltage . 41
Figure A.2 – Output voltage of a VSC phase unit for a 2-level converter . 41
Figure A.3 – Output voltage of a VSC phase unit for a 15-level converter, without PWM . 42
Figure A.4 – Basic circuit topology of one phase unit of a 2-level converter . 43
Figure A.5 – Basic circuit topology of one phase unit of a 3-level diode-clamped
converter . 44
Figure A.6 – Basic circuit topology of one phase unit of a 5-level diode-clamped
converter . 44
Figure A.7 – Basic circuit topology of one phase unit of a 3-level flying capacitor
converter . 45
Figure A.8 – A single VSC phase unit with controllable voltage source type VSC valves . 46
Figure A.9 – The half-bridge MMC circuit . 46
Figure A.10 – The full-bridge MMC circuit . 47
Figure A.11 – The half-bridge CTL circuit . 48
Figure A.12 – Construction terms in MMC valves . 49
Figure A.13 – Construction terms in CTL valves . 49
Table 1 – Conditions for use of evidence in lieu from another HVDC project . 11
Table 2 – Minimum number of valve levels to be operational type tested as a function
of the number of valve levels per valve . 12
Table 3 – Valve level faults permitted during type tests . 15
Table 4 – List of type tests . 16
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
VOLTAGE SOURCED CONVERTER (VSC)
VALVES FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT (HVDC)
POWER TRANSMISSION – ELECTRICAL TESTING
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
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consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 62501 has been prepared by subcommittee 22F: Power electronics for electrical
transmission and distribution systems, of IEC technical committee 22: Power electronic systems
and equipment. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009, Amendment 1:2014
and Amendment 2:2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Conditions for use of evidence in lieu are inserted as a new Table 1;
b) Test parameters for valve support DC voltage test, 7.3.2, and MVU DC voltage test, 8.4.1,
updated;
c) AC-DC voltage test between valve terminals, Clause 9, is restructured and alternative tests,
by individual AC and DC voltage tests, added in 9.4.2;
– 6 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
d) Partial discharge test in routine test program is removed;
e) More information on valve component fault tolerance, Annex B, is added;
f) Valve losses determination is added as Annex C.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
22F/731/CDV 22F/748A/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval 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/publications.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 7 –
VOLTAGE SOURCED CONVERTER (VSC)
VALVES FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT (HVDC)
POWER TRANSMISSION – ELECTRICAL TESTING
1 Scope
This International Standard applies to self-commutated converter valves, for use in a three-
phase bridge voltage sourced converter (VSC) for high voltage DC power transmission or as
part of a back-to-back link, and to dynamic braking valves. It is restricted to electrical type and
production tests.
This document can be used as a guide for testing of high-voltage VSC valves used in energy
storage systems (ESS).
The tests specified in this document are based on air insulated valves. The test requirements
and acceptance criteria can be used for guidance to specify the electrical type and production
tests of other types of valves.
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 60071 (all parts), Insulation co-ordination
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
IEC 60700-1:2015/AMD1:2021
IEC 62747, Terminology for voltage-sourced converters (VSC) for high-voltage direct current
(HVDC) systems
ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62747 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
– 8 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
3.1 Insulation coordination terms
3.1.1
test withstand voltage
value of a test voltage of standard waveshape at which a new valve, with unimpaired integrity,
does not show any disruptive discharge and meets all other acceptance criteria specified for
the particular test, when subjected to a specified number of applications or a specified duration
of the test voltage, under specified conditions
3.1.2
internal insulation
air external to the components and insulating materials of the valve, but contained within the
profile of the valve or multiple valve unit
3.1.3
external insulation
air between the external surface of the valve or multiple valve unit and its surroundings
3.2 Power semiconductor terms
3.2.1
turn-off semiconductor device
controllable semiconductor device which may be turned on and off by a control signal, for
example an IGBT
Note 1 to entry: There are several types of turn-off semiconductor devices which can be used in VSC converters
for HVDC. For convenience, the term IGBT is used throughout this standard to refer to the main turn-off
semiconductor device. However, the standard is equally applicable to other types of turn-off semiconductor devices.
3.2.2
insulated gate bipolar transistor IGBT
turn-off semiconductor device with three terminals: a gate terminal (G) and two load terminals
emitter (E) and collector (C)
Note 1 to entry: By applying appropriate gate to emitter voltages, the load current can be controlled, i.e. turned on
and turned off.
3.2.3
free-wheeling diode
FWD
power semiconductor device with diode characteristic
Note 1 to entry: A FWD has two terminals: an anode (A) and a cathode (K). The current through FWDs is in the
opposite direction to the IGBT current.
Note 2 to entry: FWDs are characterized by the capability to cope with high rates of decrease of current caused by
the switching behaviour of the IGBT.
3.2.4
IGBT-diode pair
arrangement of IGBT and FWD connected in inverse parallel
3.3 Operating states of converter
3.3.1
blocking state
condition of the converter, in which a turn-off signal is applied continuously to all IGBTs of the
converter
Note 1 to entry: Typically, the converter is in the blocking state condition after energization.
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 9 –
3.3.2
de-blocked state
condition of the converter, in which turn-on and turn-off signals are applied repetitively to IGBTs
of the converter
3.3.3
valve protective blocking
means of protecting the valve or converter from excessive electrical stress by the emergency
turn-off of all IGBTs in one or more valves
3.3.4
voltage step level
voltage step caused by switching of a valve or part of a valve during the de-blocked state of the
converter
Note 1 to entry: For valves of the controllable voltage source type, the voltage step level corresponds to the change
of voltage caused by switching one submodule or cell. For valves of the switch type, the voltage step level
corresponds to the change of voltage caused by switching the complete valve.
Note 2 to entry: Annex A gives an overview of VSC converters in HVDC power transmission.
3.4 VSC construction terms
3.4.1
VSC phase unit
equipment used to connect the two DC busbars to one AC terminal
3.4.2
switch type VSC valve
arrangement of IGBT-diode pairs connected in series and arranged to be switched
simultaneously as a single function unit
3.4.3
controllable voltage source type VSC valve
complete controllable voltage source assembly, which is generally connected between one AC
terminal and one DC terminal
3.4.4
diode valve
semiconductor valve containing only diodes as the main semiconductor devices, which might
be used in some VSC topologies
3.4.5
dynamic braking valve
complete controllable device assembly, which is used to control energy absorption in braking
resistor or other components
3.4.6
valve
VSC valve, dynamic braking valve or diode valve according to the context
3.4.7
submodule
part of a VSC valve comprising controllable switches and diodes connected to a half bridge or
full bridge arrangement, together with their immediate auxiliaries, storage capacitor, if any,
where each controllable switch consists of only one switched valve device connected in series
– 10 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
3.4.8
cell
MMC building block where each switch position consists of more than one IGBT-diode pair
connected in series
Note 1 to entry: See Figure A.13.
3.4.9
VSC valve level
smallest indivisible functional unit of VSC valve
Note 1 to entry: For any VSC valve in which IGBTs are connected in series and operated simultaneously, one VSC
valve level is one IGBT-diode pair including its auxiliaries (see Figure A.13). For MMC type without IGBT-diode pairs
connected in series one valve level is one submodule together with its auxiliaries (see Figure A.12).
3.4.10
diode valve level
part of a diode valve composed of a diode and associated circuits and components, if any
3.4.11
redundant levels
maximum number of series connected VSC valve levels or diode valve levels in a valve that
may be short-circuited externally or internally without affecting the safe operation of the valve
as demonstrated by type tests, and which if and when exceeded, would require shutdown of the
valve to replace the failed levels or acceptance of increased risk of failures
Note 1 to entry: In valve designs such as the cascaded two level converter, which contain two or more conduction
paths within each cell and have series-connected VSC valve levels in each path, redundant levels shall be counted
only in one conduction path in each cell.
3.4.12
dynamic braking valve level
part of a dynamic braking valve comprising a controllable switch and an associated diode, or
controllable switches and diodes connected in parallel, or controllable switches and diodes
connected to a bridge arrangement, together with their immediate auxiliaries, storage capacitor
and energy dissipation resistors, if any
3.5 Valve structure terms
3.5.1
valve structure
structural components of a valve, required in order to physically support the valve modules
3.5.2
valve support
that part of the valve which mechanically supports and electrically insulates the active part of
the valve from earth
3.5.3
multiple valve unit
MVU
mechanical arrangement of 2 or more valves or 1 or more VSC phase units sharing a common
valve support
Note 1 to entry: A MVU might not exist in all topologies and physical arrangement of converters.
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 11 –
3.5.4
valve section
electrical assembly defined for test purposes, comprising a number of valve levels and other
components, which exhibits pro-rated electrical properties of a complete valve
Note 1 to entry: For valves of controllable voltage source type the valve section shall include cell or submodule DC
capacitor in addition to VSC valve levels.
Note 2 to entry: The minimum number of VSC or diode valve levels allowed in a valve section is defined along with
the requirements of each test.
4 General requirements
4.1 Guidelines for the performance of type tests
4.1.1 Evidence in lieu
Each design of valve shall be subjected to the type tests specified in this document. If the valve
is demonstrably similar to one previously tested, the supplier may, in lieu of performing a type
test or individual parts of it, submit a test report of a previous type test for consideration by the
purchaser. This should be accompanied by a separate report detailing the differences in the
design and demonstrating how the referenced type test satisfies the test objectives for the
proposed design. Conditions for use of evidence in lieu are listed in Table 1.
Table 1 – Conditions for use of evidence in lieu from another HVDC project
Type test Clause Conditions
Operational tests 6
• Equal or smaller number of valve levels to be tested
• Same valve level design
• Same valve electronics design
a
• Identical or lower voltage stress and thermal stress on
each valve level
Dielectric tests on valve support
7 • Identical valve structure, including cooling pipes, cable
structure paths, earthing system, if any
• Same valve material and geometrical dimension
• Equal or higher air clearance to valve hall and other
related equipment inside the valve hall
• Equal or lower voltage stress, including DC voltage stress,
AC voltage stress and impulse voltage stresses
Dielectric tests on multiple 8 • Same MVU geometry between valves
valve unit
Dielectric tests between valve
9 • Identical valve structure, including cooling pipes, cable
terminals paths and earthing system, if any
• Same valve material and geometrical dimension
• Equal or lower voltage stress
IGBT overcurrent turn-off test 10
• Same valve level design
• Same valve electronics design
• Identical or lower prospective current stress
Short-circuit current test 11
• Same valve level design
• Same short-circuit bypass components, if any, and
function
• Same valve electronics design
• Identical or lower short-circuit current stress
Tests for valve insensitivity to 12 • Same as those indicated for Clauses 6 and 9
electromagnetic disturbance
a
Semiconductor devices thermal stress is a combined effect of current and cooling. Device thermal stress is
characterised by the device junction temperature.
– 12 – IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024
4.1.2 Selection of test object
This subclause does not apply to tests on the valve supporting structure and multiple valve unit.
The test object for those tests is defined in 7.2 and 8.3.
a) Type tests may be performed either on a complete valve or MVU, or parts thereof, as
indicated in Table 4.
b) The minimum number of valve levels to be operational type tested, depending on the valve
levels in a single valve, is as shown in Table 2. This number applies to the type tests in
Clauses 6, 10, 11 and 12. Those valve levels shall be tested in one test setup or multiple
setups on several valve sections as defined in those clauses.
Table 2 – Minimum number of valve levels to be operational type tested
as a function of the number of valve levels per valve
Number of valve levels, including Total number of valve levels to be
redundant level per valve tested
1 to 50 Number of valve levels in one valve
51 to 250 50
20 %
≥ 251
The minimum number of valve levels to be dielectric type tested can be equal to or lower
than the number specified for the operational type test.
The minimum number of valve levels, however, shall be representative of the valve dielectric
design.
c) Generally, the same valve sections are recommended to be used for all type tests. However,
different tests may be performed on different valve sections in parallel, in order to speed up
the programme for executing the tests.
d) Prior to commencement of type tests, the valve, valve sections and/or the components of
them shall be demonstrated to have withstood the production tests to ensure proper
manufacture.
4.1.3 Test procedure
The tests shall be performed in accordance with IEC 60060, where applicable with due account
for IEC 60071 (all parts). Partial discharge measurements shall be performed in accordance
with IEC 60270.
4.1.4 Ambient temperature for testing
The tests shall be performed at the prevailing ambient temperature of the test facility, unless
otherwise specified.
4.1.5 Frequency for testing
AC dielectric tests can be performed at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Operational tests shall be
performed at the service frequency.
4.1.6 Test reports
At the completion of the type tests, the supplier shall provide type test reports in accordance
with Clause 15.
4.1.7 Conditions to be considered in determination of type test parameters
Type test parameters shall be determined based on the worst operating and fault conditions to
which the valve can be subjected, according to system studies. Guidance on the conditions can
be found in CIGRE Technical Brochure No. 447.
IEC 62501:2024 © IEC 2024 – 13 –
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