Standardization of film capacitors

The standardization for all electrical, electronic components and related technologies follows the rules given by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),^[58] a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization.^[59][60] The IEC standards are harmonized with European standards EN.

The definition of the characteristics and the procedure of the test methods for capacitors for use in electronic equipment are set out in the generic specification:

• IEC/EN 60384-1, Fixed capacitors for use in electronic equipment - Part 1: Generic specification

The tests and requirements to be met by film capacitors for use in electronic equipment for approval as standardized types are set out in the following sectional specifications:

The standardization of power capacitors is strongly focused on rules for the safety of personnel and equipment, given by the local regulating authority. The concepts and definitions to guarantee safe application of power capacitors are published in the following standards:

• IEC/EN 61071; Capacitors for power electronics
• IEC/EN 60252-1; AC motor capacitors. General. Performance, testing and rating. Safety requirements. Guidance for installation and operation
• IEC/EN 60110-1; Power capacitors for induction heating installations - General
• IEC/EN 60567; Oil-filled electrical equipment - Sampling of gases and of oil for analysis of free and dissolved gases – Guidance
• IEC/EN 60143-1; Series capacitors for power systems. General
• IEC/EN 60143-2; Series capacitors for power systems. Protective equipment for series capacitor banks
• IEC/EN 60143-3; Series capacitors for power systems - Internal fuses
• IEC/EN 60252-2; AC motor capacitors. Motor start capacitors
• IEC/EN 60831-1; Shunt power capacitors of the self-healing type for a.c. systems having a rated voltage up to and including 1kV. General. Performance, testing and rating. Safety requirements. Guide for installation and operation
• IEC/EN 60831-2; Shunt power capacitors of the self-healing type for a.c. systems having a rated voltage up to and including 1000 V. Ageing test, self-healing test and destruction test
• IEC/EN 60871-1; Shunt capacitors for a.c. power systems having a rated voltage above 1000 V. General
• IEC/EN 60931-1; Shunt power capacitors of the non-self-healing type for a.c. systems having a rated voltage up to and including 1 kV - General - Performance, testing and rating - Safety requirements - Guide for installation and operation
• IEC/EN 60931-2; Shunt power capacitors of the non-self-healing type for a.c. systems having a rated voltage up to and including 1000 V. Ageing test and destruction test
• IEC 60143-4; Series capacitors for power systems. Thyristor controlled series capacitors
• IEC/EN 61921; Power capacitors. Low-voltage power factor correction banks
• IEC/EN 60931-3; Shunt power capacitors of the non-self-healing type for a.c. systems having a rated voltage up to and including 1000 V. Internal fuses
• IEC/EN 61881-1; Railway applications. Rolling stock equipment. Capacitors for power electronics. Paper/plastic film capacitors
• IEC 62146-1; Grading capacitors for high-voltage alternating current circuit-breakers

The text above is directly extracted from the relevant IEC standards, which use the abbreviations "d.c." for Direct Current (DC) and "a.c." for Alternating Current (AC).