Low Voltage

What is low voltage?

Low voltage is a voltage level that typically does not exceed 1,000 volts (V) for AC voltage or 1,500 V for DC voltage. This means that most household and small-scale electrical applications fall within the range of low voltage.

In practice, this involves, for example, the 230 V coming out of the wall socket or the 400 V in three phases for larger appliances. Its relatively low value makes it safer than higher voltage levels, although caution still remains essential when working with electrical installations. Thus, low voltage helps power a variety of applications - from lighting to electronics - in an accessible and reliable way.

The role of the low-voltage grid

The low-voltage grid is the part of the electricity network that provides voltage up to 1,000 volts, making it ideal for domestic and smaller business applications. In the Netherlands, there is generally 230 volts (single-phase) or 400 volts (three-phase) on the low-voltage grid, providing power to millions of households and businesses every day.

A total of over eight million households are connected to this grid, which converts medium voltage into a safer, lower voltage via transformers. In this way, the low-voltage grid ensures that you can effortlessly and reliably use all kinds of electrical appliances at home or at work, from lights to computers and other necessary supplies.

Voltage levels: Low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage

Low voltage runs up to 1,000 volts and is mainly used for domestic and small business applications. Medium voltage is roughly between 1,000 and 35,000 volts. Consider 10 kilovolt and 20 kilovolt connections, which you often find in regional distribution grids or at larger businesses that use a lot of electricity.

High voltage starts from about 36,000 volts and can reach 380 kilovolts or more. This is the domain of national transmission grids, where electricity is transported over longer distances to large industrial complexes or nodes in the grid. Each voltage level thus fulfills its own role in the energy chain, from the home to large manufacturing and distribution centers.

What tension is dangerous for you?

Basically, any electrical voltage can be dangerous if you come into direct contact with it, but from about 50 volts of alternating current (AC) or 120 volts of direct current (DC), the risk of injury increases significantly. This is because at these values, the current flowing through your body can become so high that your muscles contract or your heart rhythm is disrupted, leading to serious consequences.

Moreover, the danger lies not only in the level of voltage, but also in factors such as the duration of contact, humidity and the resistance of your body. Therefore, it is crucial to always create safe working conditions and ensure that you have sufficient knowledge and the right protective equipment when working with electricity.

Low voltage installation by Frax!

Low voltage provides the safe basis for all kinds of applications, but it is still important not to underestimate the risks of electricity. As you have read, the danger increases rapidly from about 50 volts. Are you curious how you can integrate low voltage in your situation in an expert and future-proof way? Then feel free to contact Frax. Thanks to their knowledge and experience in the field of electrical installations, you are never alone and you can get to work with peace of mind.