IEC TR 61000-2-15:2023 PDF

Overview

IEC TR 61000-2-15:2023 is a Technical Report on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) focused on modern distribution networks with high penetration of power electronic converters. Edition 1.0 (2023) documents observed phenomena, modelling approaches and on‑site validation methods for power quality issues arising when many converters (EV chargers, PV inverters, appliances, etc.) interact with low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) networks. It covers frequency bands up to and beyond the supraharmonic range (≤ 2 kHz, 2–9 kHz, ≥ 9 kHz) and compiles measurement case studies, modelling guidance and stability assessments.

Key topics and technical content

• Resonance phenomena: identification, equivalent circuit modelling and on‑site validation of harmonic resonances that amplify voltage or current distortion.
• Supraharmonics and measurement issues: measurement procedures, transfer ratios, crosstalk and spectrogram-based analysis for frequencies above standard harmonics.
• Impact of many converters: cases and models for large PV farms, central EV charging hubs, residential converters and industrial installations - assessing cumulative emissions and interactions.
• Stability and instability of connected equipment: analysis methods (e.g., Nyquist criterion, probabilistic stability using measured grid impedances), modelling of inverter LCL filters and conditions leading to instability.
• Harmonic emission models: generic emission representations for PWM‑based converters and recommended approaches to assess amplification/damping by network impedance.
• Practical case studies: EV charging hub with PV, heat pump clusters, islanded microgrids, national examples (Japan, Germany, Switzerland) and measurement-driven recommendations.

Practical applications and who should use it

IEC TR 61000-2-15 is targeted at professionals dealing with power quality and EMC in grids with many electronic converters:

• Distribution utilities and grid planners - to assess resonance risk, grid impedance behaviour and mitigation needs at LV/MV levels.
• Manufacturers of inverters, EV chargers and consumer electronics - for device design, emission modelling and pre‑compliance assessment.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to refine measurement procedures for supraharmonics and harmonic interactions.
• System integrators and infrastructure designers - for planning EV charging hubs, large PV installations and microgrids with stability and EMC considerations in mind.
• Regulators and standards developers - to inform grid codes and national supraharmonic limits (noting formal validation for the Americas is pending).

Related standards and context

IEC TR 61000-2-15 complements existing EMC and power quality standards (harmonics, CISPR measurement methods, grid codes) by providing detailed modelling, measurement guidance, and case studies specific to high converter penetration and supraharmonic phenomena.

Keywords: IEC TR 61000-2-15:2023, electromagnetic compatibility, power electronic converters, supraharmonics, harmonic resonance, grid impedance, EV chargers, PV inverters, LV MV networks, power quality, stability.