BRITISH STANDARD

Semiconductor
convertors
General requirements
and line commutated
convertors
Part 1-3: Transformers and reactors

The European Standard EN 60146-1-3:1993 has the status of a

British Standard

UDC 621.314.21:621.315.59:621.318

BS EN
60146-1-3:1993
IEC 146-1-3:
1991

BS EN 60146-1-3:1993

Cooperating organizations
The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC),
under whose supervision this European Standard was prepared, comprises the
national committees of the following countries:
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Power
Electrical Engineering
Standards Policy Committee,
was published under the
authority of the
Standards Board and
comes into effect on
15 May 1993
BSI 02-1999
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PEL/50
Draft for comment 92/17370 DC
ISBN 0 580 22131 8

Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.

Date

Comments

BS EN 60146-1-3:1993

Contents
Cooperating organizations
National foreword
Foreword
Text of EN 60146-1-3
National annex NA (informative) Committees responsible
National annex NB (informative) Cross-references

BSI 02-1999

Page
Inside front cover
ii
2
3
Inside back cover
Inside back cover

BS EN 60146-1-3:1993

National foreword
This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Power
Electrical Engineering Standards Policy Committee and is the English language
version of EN 60146-1-3:1993 Semiconductor convertors. General requirements
and line commutated convertors Part 1-3: Transformers and reactors,
published by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
(CENELEC). It is identical with IEC 146-1-3:1991, published by the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
This British Standard, together with BS EN 60146-1-1, supersedes
BS 4417:1969, which is withdrawn.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 10, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii

BSI 02-1999

EUROPEAN STANDARD

EN 60146-1-3

NORME EUROPENNE
February 1993

EUROPISCHE NORM
UDC 621.314.21:621.315.59:621.318

Descriptors: Electronics, convertors, semiconductor convertors, tranformers, reactors, characteristics, specifications, test

English version

Semiconductor convertors
General requirements and line commutated convertors
Part 1-3: Transformers and reactors
(IEC 146-1-3:1991)

Convertisseurs semiconducteurs
Spcifications communes et convertisseurs
commuts par le rseau
Partie 1-3: Transformateurs et bobines
dinductance
(CEI 146-1-3:1991)

Halbleiter-Stromrichter
Allgemeine Anforderungen und netzgefhrte
Stromrichter
Teil 1-3: Transformatoren und Drosselspulen
(IEC 146-1-3:1991)

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 1992-12-09.

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 Central Secretariat 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
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comit Europen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europisches Komitee fr Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B-1050 Brussels
1993 Copyright reserved to CENELEC members

Ref. No. EN 60146-1-3:1993 E

EN 60146-1-3:1993

Foreword

Contents

The CENELEC questionnaire procedure, performed

for finding out whether or not the International
Standard IEC 146-1-3:1991 could be accepted
without textual changes, has shown that no
common modifications were necessary for the
acceptance as European Standard.
The reference document was submitted to the
CENELEC members for formal vote and was
approved by CENELEC as EN 60146-1-3
on 9 December 1992.
The following dates were fixed.

Page
Foreword
2
1
Scope
3
2
Normative references
3
3
Rated values for convertor transformers
3
3.1 Rated current values
3
3.2 Temperature limits of cooling media
3
4
Losses and voltage drops in
transformers and reactors
4
4.1 Losses in the transformer windings
4
4.2 Losses in interphase transformers,
current balancing reactors,
series-smoothing reactors, transductors
and other current regulating accessories
4
4.3 Voltage drops in transformers and
reactors
4
5
Tests for convertor transformers
4
5.1 Measurement of commutating reactance
and determination of inductive voltage
drop (type test)
5
5.2 Short-circuit test (type test and
routine test)
5
5.3 Temperature rise test (type test)
5
Annex A (normative) Corrections to be
applied when cooling medium temperature
is higher than standard
9
Annex ZA (normative) Other international
publications quoted in this standard with
the references of the relevant
European publications
9
Table 1 Temperature rise limits
6
Table 2 Connections and calculation factors
7
Table A.1 Reduction of limits of temperature
rise for cooling medium temperature higher
than standard in kelvins
9

latest date of publication

of an identical national
standard
(dop) 1993-12-01

latest date of withdrawal

of conflicting national
standards
(dow) 1993-12-01

For products which have complied with the relevant

national standard before 1993-12-01, as shown by
the manufacturer or by a certification body, this
previous standard may continue to apply for
production until 1998-12-01.
Annexes designated normative are part of the
body of the standard. In this standard, Annex A and
Annex ZA are normative.

BSI 02-1999

EN 60146-1-3:1993

1 Scope
This Part 1-3 of the International Standard relates,
in general, to those characteristics wherein
convertor transformers differ from ordinary power
transformers. In all other respects, the rules
specified in IEC 76 shall apply to convertor
transformers also, as far as they are not in
contradiction with this standard.
It should be borne in mind that a rectifier
transformer operates with non-sinusoidal current
waveshape. In single-way connection, the current in
each cell winding contains a d.c. component which
calls for special attention in design and testing. In
some cases, a special design is necessary when
external short-circuits and cell failures would cause
abnormal stress.
For certain types of transformers, the waveshape of
the normal operating voltage is non-sinusoidal. The
core loss of such equipment is to be determined by
applying a sinusoidal voltage having the same
half-cycle arithmetic mean value and the same
fundamental frequency as the voltage applied in
service.

2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which,
through reference in this text, constitute provisions
of this International Standard. At the time of
publication, the editions indicated were valid. All
standards are subject to revision, and parties to
agreements based on this International Standard
are encouraged to investigate the possibility of
applying the most recent editions of the standards
listed below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 76:1967, Power transformers.
IEC 146-1-1:1991, Semiconductor convertors
General requirements and line commutated
convertors Part 1-1, IEC 146-1-1, Specifications of
basic requirements.
IEC 146-1-2:1991, Semiconductor convertors
General requirements and line commutated
convertors Part 1-2: Application guide.

BSI 02-1999

3 Rated values for convertor

transformers
3.1 Rated current values
3.1.1 Single convertor or double convertor
supplied from one common cell winding
The convertor transformer shall be capable of
carrying current corresponding to rated direct
current of the convertor continuously, followed by
overload current (where specified) for the specified
duration (See IEC 146-1-1, 3.10.3.5), at maximum
cooling temperatures without exceeding its thermal
limit.
3.1.2 Double convertor where each thyristor
assembly has separate cell windings
The convertor transformer shall be capable of
carrying in each secondary group the appropriate
current corresponding to rated direct current of the
convertor continuously, followed by overload
current for the specified duration
(See IEC 146-1-1, 3.10.3.5), at maximum cooling
temperatures without exceeding its thermal limit.
Where common line windings are used for the two
secondary windings, these should be rated as
in 3.1.1.
3.2 Temperature limits of cooling media
Temperature rise limits are specified in 5.3.
3.2.1 Air cooled outdoor equipment
The convertor transformer shall be designed to
operate at an ambient air temperature which does
not exceed + 40 C, does not average more
than + 20 C over a year and does not average more
than + 30 C for any 24 h period.
3.2.2 Air cooled indoor equipment
The convertor transformer shall be designed to
operate in an ambient air temperature of + 40 C.
3.2.3 Water cooled equipment
The convertor transformer shall be designed to
operate with incoming cooling water temperature
which does not exceed + 25 C.

EN 60146-1-3:1993

4 Losses and voltage drops in

transformers and reactors
4.1 Losses in the transformer windings
The losses in the windings which appear under
normal service conditions are composed of the losses
in the winding resistance as measured by d.c. and
the additional losses (depending on frequency)
caused by eddy currents as well as the stray flux in
the windings and in the construction parts. Due to
the harmonics, the actual losses in the windings
would require to be measured with the transformer
in normal operation with the assembly.
This method of measurement cannot be
recommended because it is too complicated and
inaccurate, unless total losses of transformer and
assembly are taken as one measurement. In such
cases and for units not exceeding a rated output
of 300 kW, the losses may be measured at normal
rated load operation.
In all other cases, the losses in the windings are to
be calculated from the results of short-circuit
measurement carried out with sinusoidal currents.
The method is based on the passage of sinusoidal
currents in the winding having the same r.m.s.
values as those which would exist in operation with
the assembly if the overlap was disregarded
(see Table 2).
Owing to the fact that the r.m.s. values of the
currents during normal operation with the
assembly are somewhat smaller than those in the
test, a positive error is encountered. This positive
error is assumed to be compensated for by the
negative error resulting from the fact that the
additional stray losses caused by the harmonics in
operation with the assembly are disregarded.
4.2 Losses in interphase transformers, current
balancing reactors, series-smoothing reactors,
transductors and other current regulating
accessories
4.2.1 Interphase transformers
The supplier shall measure the iron losses at a
frequency and voltage calculated to provide the
magnetic flux corresponding to operation of the
convertor at rated current, voltage and specified
phase control, corrected to the available frequency
nearest to the principal frequency of the interphase
transformer.
The losses in the winding are to be calculated as the
product of the d.c. resistance and the square of the
direct current in the winding.

4.2.2 Current balancing reactors

The iron losses in current balancing reactors are by
convention to be ignored.
The losses in the winding are either a part of the
convertor loss measurement or calculated as the
product of the d.c. measured resistance and the
square of the r.m.s. current in the winding,
calculated on the basis of rectangular shaped
current waveform.
4.2.3 Series-smoothing reactors
The iron losses are, by convention, to be ignored.
The losses in the winding are either a part of the
convertor loss measurement or calculated as the
product of the d.c. resistance and the square of the
direct current in the winding.
4.2.4 Transductors and other current
regulating accessories
The iron losses shall be measured or calculated at
magnetic flux conditions corresponding to operation
of the convertor at rated current, rated line voltage
and specified direct voltage. Measurement is made
at a frequency corrected to the available frequency
nearest to the principal frequency nearest of the
transductor core flux.
The losses in the power winding are to be calculated
as the product of the d.c. measured resistance and
the square of the r.m.s. current in the winding,
calculated on the basis of idealized current
waveform (ignoring stray inductances). When the
power winding consists of heavy conductors, the
eddy current losses should be estimated by
calculation and added.
NOTE These losses are for use in efficiency calculations and not
for design.

4.3 Voltage drops in transformers and reactors

The voltage drops are calculated from the loss
measurements by the formulae given in 3.5 of
IEC 146-1-1.

5 Tests for convertor transformers

All tests specified for power transformers in IEC 76
shall apply to convertor transformers if not in
contradiction with the tests specified in this clause.
The tests specified below are to be regarded as
additional or special tests applicable to convertor
transformers.

BSI 02-1999

EN 60146-1-3:1993

5.1 Measurement of commutating reactance

and determination of inductive voltage drop
(type test)
5.1.1 Commutating reactance
To measure commutating reactance, the line-side
terminals of the transformer are short-circuited. An
alternating current of rated frequency is passed
through two consecutive phases of the same
commutating group of the cell winding and the
voltage between the terminals thus fed is measured.
The commutating reactance 2 Xt is equal to the
inductive component of the impedance calculated
from this measurement. At least two tests should be
carried out with different pairs of phases in each
commutating group and the arithmetic mean value
of these measurements is taken.
The same line winding may feed a commutating
group assembly connected in parallel or in series
and which commutates simultaneously. In this case,
the cell windings corresponding to these groups
shall be connected phase by phase in parallel for the
above tests.

In this case, the inductive component of the input

voltage expressed in p.u. of the rated voltage
between terminals Uv0, represents the inductive
voltage regulation dxt1.
For connections given in Table 2, the
inductive voltage regulation can be calculated
from the results of secondary short-circuit tests
specified in column 17, with the exception of
connections Nos. 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12 for which the
short-circuit test specified in 5.1.1 is
recommended (see IEC 146-1-2, 1.5.4).
If the secondary currents are too high, this method
cannot be applied; any other equivalent method
comprising a winding short-circuit on the cell may
then be used.
5.2 Short-circuit test (type test and routine
test)

number of sets of commutating groups

between which IdN is divided;

IdN

rated direct current;

The test is performed to obtain the total losses in the

transformer windings.
The tests to be made and appropriate short-circuit
connections for the most commonly used
connections are indicated in Table 2. The currents in
the windings shall be sinusoidal with the
same r.m.s. values in the line leads as would exist in
normal operation at rated direct current if the
overlap is disregarded and at rated frequency.
For each short-circuit test A, B and C respectively,
the power inputs shall be measured. The power
inputs are designated PA, PB and PC respectively
and the total losses are calculated according to the
formulae given in Table 2.
The measured losses in the windings are to be
corrected to a temperature of specified limit value
(Table 1) plus 20 C.

commutation number;

5.3 Temperature rise test (type test)

number of commutating groups in series;

Udi0

ideal no-load direct voltage;

number of commutating groups

commutating simultaneously per
primary.

A temperature rise measurement of the transformer

windings shall be made after continuous application
of rated load. The temperature rise shall not exceed
the values given in Table 1.
The values in Table 1 are based on ambient and
cooling medium temperatures specified in 3.2
and operation at an altitude not greater
than 1 000 metres. Corrections to be applied at
higher cooling medium temperatures are given
in Annex A.

5.1.2 Inductive voltage regulation

The inductive voltage regulation can be calculated
from the value of Xt by means of the following
formula:
I dN
$ q s- X ------------d xtN = ---------------------t U
2;g
di0
where

It can also be obtained from the test described

in 5.1.1 by passing during the test a current with an
r.m.s. value of:
2 $
------- --- I dN
4 g

BSI 02-1999

EN 60146-1-3:1993

Table 1 Temperature rise limits

Convertor duty class
a

Transformer cooling
medium

Transformer
temperature class

Limit of winding temperature rise in K

(measured by resistance)
1

Air

A
B
H

60
80
125

55
80
150

Oil

A
A+

65

55
65

Air

A
B
H

55
70
110

55
80
150

Oil

A
A+

65

55
65

Air

A
B
H

50
65
100

50
80
150

Oil

A
A+

60

55
65

Air

A
B
H

45
60
90

45
75
140

Oil

A
A+

50

50
60

Air

A
B
H

40
55
85

40
70
130

Oil

A
A+

50

50
60

I and II

III

IV

VI

NOTE 1 Temperature rise limits given in columns 1 and 2 reflect two different practices and climatic conditions in different areas
of the world. Technical Committees dealing with transformers will be asked to study the problem with a view to reconciling the
differences if this is technically feasible.
NOTE 2 The temperature rise figures are based on a maximum ambient temperature of + 40 C, with an average annual
temperature not exceeding + 20 C and an average daily ambient temperature of + 30 C.
NOTE 3 Other transformer temperature classes may be used. In such cases and when temperature rise figures are not shown in
the table, these are to be agreed upon by user and supplier.
NOTE 4 Temperature class A+ designates thermally upgraded paper with a permissible hot spot temperature of + 120 C.
a Refer

to IEC 146-1-1, Table 2.

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 BSI 02-1999

Table 2 Connections and calculation factors

EN 60146-1-3:1993

EN 60146-1-3:1993

Table 2 Connections and calculation factors

BSI 02-1999

EN 60146-1-3:1993

Annex A (normative)
Corrections to be applied when cooling medium temperature is higher than
standard
This appendix applies when the specified temperature of the cooling medium exceeds the standard values
given in 3.2 by not more than 15 K.
The temperature rise limits shall be reduced by the amounts given in the Table A.1.
Table A.1 Reduction of limits of temperature rise for cooling medium temperature
higher than standard in kelvins
Duty classesa
Transformers and reactors

Natural air-cooled and cooling by forced ventilation

I
II

III
IV

VI

1.0

0.7

0.6

0.5

1.0

0.8

0.8

0.8

1.0

0.8

0.8

0.8

Deduction from limit given in 5.3 per K excess in peak

cooling air temperature (insulation classes A or B)
Fluid-air cooling
Deduction from limit given in 5.3 per K excess in peak
annual average, or daily average cooling air
temperature, whichever excess is greater
(insulation class A)
Fluid-to-water cooling
Deduction from limit given in 5.3 per K excess in peak
annual average, or daily average cooling air
temperature, whichever excess is greater
(insulation class A)
a See

IEC 146-1-1, 3.10.3.

Annex ZA (normative)
Other international publications quoted in this standard with the references of
the relevant European publications
When the international publication has been modified by CENELEC common modifications, indicated by
(mod), the relevant EN/HD applies.
IEC Publication

Date

Title

EN/HD

Date

76

series

Power transformers

HD 398

series

146-1-1

1991

Semiconductor convertors General requirements EN 60146-1-1

and line commutated convertors
Part 1-1: Specifications of basic requirements

1993

146-1-2

1991

Part 1-2: Application guide

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10

blank

BS EN 60146-1-3:1993
National annex NA (informative)
Committees responsible
The United Kingdom participation in the preparation of this European Standard was entrusted by the
Power Electrical Engineering Standards Policy Committee (PEL/-) to Technical Committee PEL/50 upon
which the following bodies were represented:
Association of Consulting Engineers
Electricity Association
Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association
GAMBICA (BEAMA Ltd.)
Institution of Electrical Engineers
Institution of Incoporated Executive Engineers
Power Supply Manufacturers Association PSMA (BEAMA Ltd.)
Railway Industry Association of Great Britain
Transmission and Distribution Association (BEAMA Ltd.)

National annex NB (informative)

Cross-references
Publication referred to

Corresponding British Standard

IEC 76
IEC 146-1-1:1991

BS 171 Power transformers

BS EN 60146-1-1 Semiconductor convertors. General requirements and line
commutated convertors
Part 1-1:1993 Specification of basic requirements

BSI 02-1999

BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

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