This International Standard defines terms for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission systems and for HVDC substations using electronic power converters for the conversion from a.c. to d.c. or vice versa.

This standard is applicable to HVDC substations with line commutated converters, most commonly based on three-phase bridge (double way) connections (see Figure 2) in which unidirectional electronic valves, e.g. semiconductor valves, are used.