IEC 61660-1-1997 PDF

Full title and description

Short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary installations in power plants and substations - Part 1: Calculation of short-circuit currents. This international standard describes a generally applicable, conservative method for calculating short-circuit currents in DC auxiliary systems found in power plants and substations.

Abstract

Provides calculation methods for short-circuit currents in d.c. auxiliary installations which may include rectifiers in three‑phase a.c. bridge connection (50 Hz), stationary lead‑acid batteries, smoothing capacitors and d.c. motors with independent excitation. The procedure yields results of sufficient accuracy on the conservative side. Corrigenda published in 1999 and 2000 are incorporated in later official copies.

General information

• Status: Published — current edition with stability date confirmed to 2028.
• Publication date: 17 June 1997.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.01 (Electricity. Magnetism. General aspects).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (1997).
• Number of pages: 69 (IEC publication page count).

Scope

This Part 1 sets out methods to calculate maximum and minimum short‑circuit currents in DC auxiliary installations for power stations and substations. It is limited to systems containing the specified equipment types (three‑phase bridge rectifiers for 50 Hz, stationary lead‑acid batteries, smoothing capacitors and separately excited DC motors) and does not cover other rectifier topologies. The standard is intended to deliver conservative results suitable for equipment rating and protection setting purposes, and it is intended to be used together with Part 2 (calculation of effects) and the Part 3 technical report (examples of calculations).

Key topics and requirements

• Modelling of short‑circuit sources in DC auxiliary systems: rectifiers, batteries, smoothing capacitors and DC motors.
• Procedures to compute maximum short‑circuit currents for equipment rating (thermal and electrodynamic stresses) and minimum short‑circuit currents for protection settings.
• Conservative calculation approach suitable for engineering design and verification.
• Definitions, required parameters and step‑by‑step calculation methods to permit reproducible results.
• Reference to corrigenda and normative/informative annexes that clarify application and provide examples.

Typical use and users

Used by electrical design and protection engineers in power plants and substations, system planners, manufacturers of DC equipment (rectifiers, batteries, DC motors), testing laboratories and standards bodies. Typical applications include sizing of DC conductors and equipment, setting protection devices, and verification of mechanical and thermal withstand using results from Part 1 calculations (often followed by Part 2 for effects).

Related standards

The IEC 61660 series includes at least Part 2 (Calculation of effects) and IEC TR 61660‑3 (Examples of calculations) which are intended to be used together with Part 1 for a complete assessment of short‑circuit currents and their consequences in DC auxiliary installations. Corrigenda to Part 1 were issued in 1999 and 2000 and should be consulted for the canonical text used in applications.

Keywords

short‑circuit currents, DC auxiliary installation, power plant, substation, rectifier, lead‑acid battery, smoothing capacitor, DC motor, LVDC, protection settings, current calculation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61660‑1:1997 is the international standard that defines methods to calculate short‑circuit currents in DC auxiliary installations in power plants and substations (Part 1: Calculation of short‑circuit currents).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers calculation procedures for maximum and minimum short‑circuit currents arising from specified sources in DC auxiliary systems — specifically three‑phase bridge rectifiers (50 Hz), stationary lead‑acid batteries, smoothing capacitors and separately excited DC motors — and provides conservative methods suitable for equipment rating and protection coordination.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Electrical design and protection engineers, system planners, equipment manufacturers, test laboratories and standards committees involved in power plant and substation auxiliary systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition published 17 June 1997 (Edition 1.0) is the base publication; corrigenda were issued in 1999 and 2000 and are incorporated in current official copies. The IEC webstore indicates a stability date (validity) through 2028; users should check national adoption records or the IEC publication store for any later revisions or replacements before relying on it for new designs.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the IEC 61660 series. Complementary documents include IEC 61660‑2 (Calculation of effects) and IEC TR 61660‑3 (Examples of calculations), which together provide methods for calculating currents, assessing mechanical/thermal effects and worked examples.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Short‑circuit currents, DC auxiliary installation, power plant, substation, rectifier, battery, smoothing capacitor, DC motor, calculation method, protection settings.