Voltage Levels to IEC 60038 

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The standard aims to consolidate AC and traction voltages within the industry and defines the following bands:

  • band 1 - A.C. systems 100 V to 1000 V
  • band 2 - A.C and D.C traction systems
  • band 3 - A.C. systems above 1 kV to 35 kV
  • band 4 - A.C. systems above 35 kV to 230 kV
  • band 5 - A.C. systems above 245 kV

A.C. systems 100 V to 1000 V

Nominal Voltage, V
Three-phase four-wire or three-wire systems Single-phase three-wire systems
50 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz
- 208/120 240/120
- 240 -
400/230 4808/277 -
690/400 480 -
- 600/347 -
1000 600 -

Supply voltage range ±10 % at the supply terminals
Supply terminal to final equipment maximum 4% voltage drop

A.C and D.C traction systems

Voltage, V
Lowest Nominal Highest Frequency
D.C. Systems
(400) (600) (720)
500 750 900
1000 1500 1600
2000 3000 3600
A.C. Single Phase Systems
(4750) (6250) (6900) 50 or 60
12000 15000 17250 16 2/3
19000 25000 27500 50 or 60

Bracketed are non preferred and should not be used if possible

A.C. systems above 1 kV to 35 kV

Voltage, kV
Series I Series 2
Highest Nominal Highest Nominal
3.6 3.3 3 4.40 4.16
7.2 6.6 6
12 11 10
13.2 12.47
13.97 13.2
14.52 13.8
(17.5) (15)
24 22 20
26.47 24.94
36 33
36.5 34.5
40.5 35

 It is recommended that only one series be used.

A.C. systems above 35 kV to 230 kV

Voltage, kV
Highest Nominal Voltage, V
(52) (45)
7.25 66 69
123 110 115
145 132 138
(170) (150)
245 220 230

Only one series should be used in each country

A.C. systems above 245 kV

Recommended in each geographical group only one of the following be used:

  • 245 kV - 300 kV - 262 kV
  • 362 kV - 420 kV
  • 420 kV 550 kV

 

Highest Voltage, kV
(300)
362
420
550
800
1050
1200


Steven McFadyen's avatar Steven McFadyen

Steven has over twenty five years experience working on some of the largest construction projects. He has a deep technical understanding of electrical engineering and is keen to share this knowledge. About the author

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