BS EN IEC 63210-2021 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN IEC 63210:2021 — Shunt power capacitors of the self-healing type for AC systems having a rated voltage above 1 000 V. This document is the IEC international standard IEC 63210:2021 adopted as a European (EN) standard and published as a British Standard (BS EN IEC 63210:2021). It specifies performance, testing, rating and safety rules and provides guidance for installation and operation of self‑healing shunt power capacitor units and banks for AC systems above 1 000 V.

Abstract

This standard applies to self‑healing shunt power capacitors (units and banks) intended primarily for power‑factor correction in AC networks with rated voltages above 1 000 V and fundamental frequencies from 15 Hz to 60 Hz. It defines service conditions, quality requirements, classification of tests and detailed type and routine tests (capacitance, loss tangent, voltage tests, thermal stability, sealing, internal discharge device tests, etc.), and lists exclusions (lower-voltage capacitors, non‑self‑healing types, series or motor capacitors, capacitor components intended for other equipment, etc.).

General information

• Status: Definitive / Current (adopted international standard implemented as EN and BS editions).
• Publication date: IEC base publication date: 11 March 2021 (IEC 63210:2021). British adoption (BS EN IEC) published in 2021 (BS publication listed 14 May 2021).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — base publication; British Standards Institution (BSI) — national adoption as BS EN IEC 63210:2021.
• ICS / categories: 31.060.70 (Power capacitors); 29.120.99 (Other electrical accessories).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (IEC 63210:2021 — first edition).
• Number of pages: IEC publication: 115 pages (IEC webstore record); BS/EN publication editions typically shown as ~62–65 pages in national publication records.

Scope

The document applies to self‑healing shunt power capacitors (both single units and banks) intended principally for power‑factor correction in AC power systems with rated voltage above 1 000 V and fundamental frequencies between 15 Hz and 60 Hz. It excludes shunt power capacitors for systems up to and including 1 000 V, non‑self‑healing types, series capacitors, motor and coupling capacitors, capacitors for certain industrial heating applications, components intended for incorporation into other equipment, and capacitors intended for use with DC superimposed on AC. The standard sets out uniform rules on performance, testing, rating and safety and gives guidance for installation and operation.

Key topics and requirements

• Service conditions and environmental considerations for rated voltage > 1 000 V.
• Quality requirements and classification of tests (type, routine and sample tests).
• Capacitance measurement methods and tolerances.
• Measurement of the tangent of the loss angle (tan δ) at ambient and elevated temperatures.
• Voltage tests between terminals and between terminals and container; impulse and AC withstand as applicable.
• Tests for internal discharge devices and requirements for discharge behavior.
• Sealing tests and requirements to ensure dielectric/containment integrity.
• Thermal stability tests (type tests) and temperature‑related ratings.
• Marking, rating information, rated current and losses, and guidance for safe installation and operation.
• Specific safety rules relevant to high‑voltage self‑healing capacitor units and banks.

Typical use and users

Primary users include capacitor manufacturers, design and test laboratories, utilities and transmission/distribution engineers, power system planners, switchgear and substation equipment manufacturers, procurement and quality assurance teams, certification bodies and installers responsible for high‑voltage power‑factor correction equipment. The standard is used to define product specifications, type‑testing regimes, acceptance criteria and installation/operation guidance.

Related standards

Standards referenced or related include (but are not limited to) IEC 60831 (shunt power capacitors for ≤ 1 000 V), IEC 60931 (capacitors for industrial use ≤ 1 000 V), IEC 60871 (non‑self‑healing capacitors for > 1 000 V), IEC 60110, IEC 60143 (series capacitors), IEC 60252 (motor capacitors), IEC 60358 (coupling capacitors), IEC 61071 (capacitors for power electronic circuits), IEC 61048/61049 (small AC capacitors for lighting), and the EN/BS adoption texts carrying the IEC content for national application. These referenced documents define related types, tests and exclusions.

Keywords

shunt power capacitor; self‑healing capacitor; power‑factor correction; high voltage capacitor; IEC 63210; BS EN IEC; capacitor testing; tan δ; thermal stability; internal discharge device; service conditions.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is the international standard IEC 63210:2021, adopted as EN IEC 63210:2021 and published nationally as BS EN IEC 63210:2021. It defines requirements and tests for self‑healing shunt power capacitors for AC systems above 1 000 V.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Performance criteria, classification of tests (type and routine), measurement methods (capacitance and tan δ), voltage tests (between terminals and to container), internal discharge device tests, sealing and thermal stability tests, marking and rating information, and installation/operation guidance for self‑healing shunt capacitors above 1 000 V. It also lists explicit exclusions of other capacitor types and applications.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test laboratories, utilities, power system engineers, equipment specifiers, installers, procurement and QA teams, and certification bodies involved with high‑voltage power‑factor correction equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 63210:2021 is a current, first‑edition international standard (published in 2021) and was adopted as EN and BS editions in 2021. Stability information in the IEC record indicates the publication as current with a stability target (review) noted in the IEC catalogue. Users should check national standards catalogues for any later amendments or corrigenda.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the family of power‑capacitor standards (other IEC/EN/BS standards cover shunt capacitors at ≤ 1 000 V, non‑self‑healing types, series capacitors, motor capacitors and specialized capacitor applications). It is the specific document addressing self‑healing shunt capacitors for > 1 000 V.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Shunt power capacitors, self‑healing, high voltage (>1 000 V), power‑factor correction, capacitance measurement, loss tangent (tan δ), thermal stability, internal discharge device, sealing, voltage tests.