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Distribution Systems and Voltage Levels

Various Voltage Levels in Distribution

In older distribution systems the supply authority collects the bulk energy at 66 kV or less from the transmission substation. As indicated in Figure 1 below, there are specific voltage values used in the distribution of electrical power.

Design Guide For Overhead Distribution Systems
Design Guide For Overhead Distribution Systems (photo credit: uinet.com)

These voltage values, which are all ‘line to line’ values are 66kV, 22kV, 11kV, 6.6kV and 400/230V. Some of these values are rarely used in public distribution networks but are common in private networks in large industrial sites (eg 3.3kV, 6.6kV).

Considered in its most simple form, electric power distribution consists of two main elements: the retail function, or buying and selling of electrical energy and the distribution function, which is the transport and dissemination of the power.

These functions have been recognised as being quite separate and financially separated from one another in the new competitive electricity market which has been set up in Australia in recent years.

A simple power system
Figure 1. A simple power system


As electricity is not ‘stored’, many aspects of distribution are influenced by minimising the costs associated with the (instantaneous) ‘buy and sell’ operation.

The choice of voltage to be used on any particular section in the distribution system will be influenced, among other factors, by //

  1. Decisions associated with voltage drops resulting from large current loads
  2. Capital cost of transformers used to change voltage levels
  3. Capital costs of construction of distribution lines and associated switchgear to operate at the chosen voltage
  4. Environmental aspects of the system installation.

For any given electrical load (in kVA), the higher the load voltage the lower will be the resultant current required. As it is the current flowing in the supply cabling which creates the voltage drop and the heating (I2R) loss, to minimise losses we try to keep the values of line current as low as possible.

In this way the necessary distribution line voltage level can be determined, along with the resultant cost of constructing the line. This explains why bulk generation and transmission, where large quantities of power are produced in big ‘base-load’ generation stations and transmitted to major load centres, is done at very high voltages.

This also explains why, with the exception of the low voltage distribution network, where voltages are set at 230 volts single phase/400 volts three phase, the highest voltages practical are used throughout all distribution, subtransmission and transmission systems.

Title:Design guide for overhead distribution systems – Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Electrical, Electronics Engineering Department
Format:PDF
Size:3.50 MB
Pages:65
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Design guide for overhead distribution systems - Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Electrical, Electronics Engineering Department
Design guide for overhead distribution systems – Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Electrical, Electronics Engineering Department

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5 Comments


  1. FRED H. SMITH
    Aug 29, 2021

    new plan,,, bury all high tension lines in areas that are prime locations for forest fires,, ,would be cost effective


  2. Mohamed I Khan
    Nov 11, 2019

    I have not been able to get overhead wire separation for 26.7kV system at terminal dead end ploe. Can you provide the info.


  3. Rafael HernĂ¡ndez Olivares
    Apr 24, 2018

    What about Vol. 2 of 2?. Thanks


  4. ali kodi
    Mar 06, 2017

    [lease send info 11kv 0.4 kv distrbution


  5. Boyet De Leon
    Jan 25, 2017

    Where is Vol. 2 of 2?

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