1. General presentation

1.1 Voltage selection

The operating voltage is chosen not only on the basis of the power and the distance over which this power is to be transmitted, but also on the basis of the voltage of the existing network to which it is to be connected, and the foreseeable cost of investment.

In France, the Technical Order of May 26, 1978 classified electrical power distribution facilities into three categories, according to voltage value (RMS value for alternating current).

Standard UTE C 18-510 of November 1988 defines voltage ranges in a different way. This definition is taken up by the Technical Order of April 2, 1991.

Table 1 shows the different voltage ranges....