This document applies to all line-commutated high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations used for power exchange (power transmission or back-to-back installation) in utility systems. This document presumes the use of 12-pulse thyristor converters but can, with due care, also be used for 6-pulse thyristor converters.

In some applications, synchronous compensators or static var compensators (SVC) may be connected to the AC bus of the HVDC converter station. The loss determination procedures for such equipment are not included in this document.

This document presents a set of standard procedures for determining the total losses of an HVDC converter station. The procedures cover all parts, except as noted above, and address no-load operation and operating losses together with their methods of calculation which use, wherever possible, measured parameters.

Converter station designs employing novel components or circuit configurations compared to the typical design assumed in this document, or designs equipped with unusual auxiliary circuits that could affect the losses, are assessed on their own merits.