IEC 61881-1-2010 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 61881-1:2010 — Railway applications — Rolling stock equipment — Capacitors for power electronics — Part 1: Paper/plastic film capacitors. This international standard specifies requirements, tests and guidance for paper and plastic‑film capacitors intended for power‑electronic applications on railway rolling stock (rated voltage limited to 10 000 V; operating system frequencies typically up to 15 kHz).

Abstract

IEC 61881-1:2010 defines service conditions, quality requirements, classification of tests (type, routine and acceptance), overload and safety requirements, markings and a guide to installation and operation for paper and plastic film capacitors used on rolling stock. It also includes informative and normative annexes covering pulse waveforms, operational limits and resonance‑frequency measurement methods.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (active standard).
• Publication date: 6 August 2010.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 45.060.01 (Railway rolling stock in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2010).
• Number of pages: 92 pages.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details above are taken from the IEC publication record for IEC 61881-1:2010.

Scope

Applies to paper and plastic film capacitors for power‑electronic equipment installed on railway rolling stock. The standard limits capacitor rated voltage to 10 000 V, addresses normal and unusual service conditions (temperature, altitude, ventilation), and covers systems with operating frequencies typically up to about 15 kHz (pulse frequencies may be several times higher). It distinguishes AC and DC capacitor types and sets test and performance limits appropriate to continuous, intermittent and pulsed duties.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and service‑condition specifications (temperature ranges, altitude, ventilation and unusual conditions).
• Quality requirements and classification of tests: routine, type and acceptance testing.
• Electrical tests: capacitance, dissipation factor (tan δ), insulation and leakage, surge and discharge tests.
• Current and pulse handling: continuous RMS current, maximum peak and surge currents, pulse‑duty considerations and limits.
• Overload, safety and failure‑mode criteria; protective and grounding requirements where applicable.
• Marking, labelling and required technical information for installation and maintenance.
• Guide to installation and operation (including ventilation and thermal management) and normative annexes (waveforms, operational limits, resonance measurement examples).

Typical use and users

Used by rolling‑stock designers and manufacturers, capacitor and component manufacturers, test laboratories, maintenance and reliability engineers, procurement/specification writers for rail projects, and conformity assessment bodies that evaluate on‑board power‑electronics components. The standard helps ensure safe, reliable capacitor selection, testing and installation for traction converters, converters/auxiliary systems and other on‑board power‑electronic equipment.

Related standards

IEC 61881-1:2010 is the first part of the IEC 61881 series for capacitors used in railway power electronics. It replaced the earlier IEC 61881:1999 edition. Other parts in the series include IEC 61881-2 (aluminium electrolytic capacitors with non‑solid electrolyte, published 2012) and IEC 61881-3 (electric double‑layer capacitors), which cover different capacitor technologies and related test/installation guidance.

Keywords

Railway, rolling stock, capacitors, power electronics, paper capacitors, plastic‑film capacitors, IEC 61881, pulse current, service conditions, testing, safety, installation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61881-1:2010 is an international standard that specifies requirements and tests for paper and plastic‑film capacitors intended for use in power‑electronic systems on railway rolling stock.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers service conditions, quality and test requirements (type, routine, acceptance), overload and safety criteria, marking and guidance for installation and operation, plus annexes on waveforms, operational limits and resonance measurement.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Rolling‑stock OEMs, capacitor manufacturers, test houses, maintenance engineers, procurement/specification teams and conformity assessments related to on‑board power electronics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61881-1:2010 is the published 2010 edition and is the current part‑1 document that replaced IEC 61881:1999; check national/adopted versions or committee notices for any later amendments or confirmations.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61881 is a multi‑part series. Part 1 covers paper/plastic film capacitors, Part 2 covers aluminium electrolytic capacitors with non‑solid electrolyte, and Part 3 covers electric double‑layer capacitors (each part addresses technology‑specific tests and requirements).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Railway, rolling stock, capacitors, power electronics, paper capacitor, plastic film, testing, service conditions, pulse current.