Medium Voltage

What is medium voltage?

Medium voltage is the voltage category between 1,000 and 25,000 volts. This definition is used in practice to indicate the difference between low and high voltage, even though the term does not officially exist in European standards.

This higher voltage makes it possible to transport and store greater power than with a standard low-voltage connection. For companies or installers dealing with large energy needs or extensive installation projects, such as a power installation, medium voltage can therefore be a suitable solution.

Low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage

With a standard low-voltage connection up to 1,000 volts, you have enough power for smaller applications, such as lighting, office furniture and light machinery. You see this type of voltage in homes and small offices, for example, where power consumption is relatively low.

Medium voltage runs from 1,000 to 25,000 volts and is intended for businesses or industrial applications with heavier or more complex power needs. Consider larger manufacturing facilities or extensive projects where higher power is required.

High voltage starts from 25,000 volts and continues up to 380,000 volts. This higher voltage is used primarily for nationwide transmission of energy and large-scale industrial applications, with markets such as EPEX also playing an important role in energy trading. The electricity towers you see outside use this high voltage to transport power efficiently over long distances.

Transformers convert high voltage to medium voltage

Transformers make it possible to bridge large voltage differences, such as by converting high voltage from the grid system to a level usable by your business or facility. A transformer consists of coils wound around an iron core.

Connecting an AC voltage source to the primary coil creates a magnetic field that then generates a voltage in the secondary coil. This allows the voltage to be increased or decreased, depending on the type of transformer.

In the case of a medium voltage connection, the transformer will bring down the high voltage (above 25,000 volts) to a voltage level between 1,000 and 25,000 volts. So for installers and companies working with medium voltage, the transformer is an indispensable link in the power system, especially when a final building connection is needed later.

Medium Voltage Installation

A medium voltage installation usually consists of a transformer, switchgear and protection systems, which you use to distribute and protect the voltage within your operations. The transformer reduces the high voltage to medium voltage and ensures that you have enough capacity to power your machines or installations.

The switchgear then controls the switching on and off of electrical connections between different parts of your installation, while the protection systems protect the installation in the event of an overload or short circuit.

At Frax, we work with fully configured systems that are ready for immediate integration, so you can rely not only on a robust and safe medium-voltage grid, but also on a flawless connection to our plug-and-play energy storage systems. This saves you time, reduces risk and ensures that your energy supply is always ready for growth and change within your business, also in line with future requirements around energy performance (BENG).

For projects not directly connected to the public grid, medium voltage can also play a role in off-grid living or temporary energy facilities.