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The Industry Standard for Voltage Classification：
The international benchmark for voltage classification is IEC 60038, the International Standard for standard voltages. While different regions and applications may adopt slightly varying thresholds, the industry generally follows these widely accepted ranges:
|
Category |
Voltage Range |
Common Ratings |
|
Low Voltage (LV) |
Up to 1,000 V AC |
0.6/1 kV, 300/500 V, 450/750 V |
|
Medium Voltage (MV) |
1 kV to 35 kV |
3.6/6 kV, 6/10 kV, 8.7/15 kV, 12/20 kV, 26/35 kV |
|
High Voltage (HV) |
Above 35 kV |
66 kV, 110 kV, 220 kV and above |
Low Voltage Power Cables (≤ 1 kV)：
Low Voltage Power Cables are the most common type of power cable, found in everyday electrical installations around the world.
Voltage Range: Up to 1,000 V AC (typically rated at 0.6/1 kV)
Typical Applications:
Residential wiring and household electrical systems
Commercial building lighting and power distribution
Industrial control panels and small machinery
Indoor electrical installations in offices, schools, and hospitals
Key Characteristics:
Simplest cable construction: conductor + insulation + outer sheath
No metallic shielding layer required
Insulation materials: PVC or standard XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene)
Primary safety concerns: electric shock prevention and flame retardancy
Common Standards: IEC 60502, GB/T 12706, BS 5467
Medium Voltage Power Cables (1 kV – 35 kV)：
Medium Voltage Power Cables serve as the "arteries" of urban and industrial power distribution networks, bridging the gap between high-voltage transmission and low-voltage end-use.
Voltage Range: 1 kV to 35 kV
Common MV ratings include: 3.6/6 kV, 6/10 kV, 8.7/15 kV, 12/20 kV, and 26/35 kV.
Typical Applications:
Urban power distribution networks
Industrial plant power supply
Renewable energy projects (wind farms, solar parks) – collector lines
Substation feeder circuits
Large commercial complexes and high-rise buildings
Key Characteristics:
More complex construction: conductor + conductor shield + XLPE insulation + insulation shield + metallic screen/armor
Three-layer shielding (conductor shield, insulation shield, and metallic screen) is the defining feature that distinguishes MV from LV cables
XLPE insulation is standard – far superior to PVC in electrical strength and thermal performance
Primary safety concern: partial discharge (PD) management – the electric field stress is highly concentrated in MV cables, requiring shielding to prevent insulation breakdown
Common Standards: IEC 60502-2, GB/T 12706.2, BS 6622
High Voltage Power Cables (> 35 kV)：
High Voltage Power Cables are the "superhighways" of the power system, designed for long-distance, high-capacity transmission of electricity.
Voltage Range: Above 35 kV
Common HV ratings include: 66 kV, 110 kV, 220 kV, and above.
Typical Applications:
Inter-city and regional power transmission
Large power station outgoing lines (hydro, nuclear, thermal)
Major urban power infeeds
Submarine cable connections
Key Characteristics:
Most complex and precise construction: conductor + conductor shield + ultra-clean XLPE insulation + insulation shield + metallic sheath (corrugated aluminum or lead) + water-blocking layers + semi-conductive buffer layer
Insulation material must be ultra-clean XLPE – impurities controlled at parts-per-billion (ppb) level
Manufactured in fully enclosed clean-room environments to prevent contamination
Primary safety concerns: impurities and micro-voids in insulation – any tiny defect can cause catastrophic breakdown under intense electrical stress
Rigorous testing requirements: partial discharge testing, very low frequency (VLF) testing, and AC withstand voltage testing are mandatory
Common Standards: IEC 60840 (for cables up to 220 kV), IEC 62067 (for cables above 220 kV)
How to Identify Cable Voltage Level – A Quick Guide：
|
Method |
What to Look For |
|
Check the rating |
Look for markings like 0.6/1 kV (LV), 8.7/15 kV or 26/35 kV (MV), 110 kV (HV) |
|
Examine the construction |
LV: simple insulation + sheath only; MV/HV: visible black semi-conductive layers on and around the insulation, plus metallic screen/armor |
|
Consider the application |
End-user circuits = LV; substation-to-building feeders = MV; transmission between regions = HV |
Hebei Yongshang Cable Group – Your Complete Power Cable Partner
Hebei Yongshang Cable Group offers a comprehensive range of power cables, covering Low Voltage Power Cables, Medium Voltage Power Cables, High Voltage Power Cables, Aluminum Alloy Cables, and Aerial Insulated Cables. With stable performance and reliable quality, our products are widely used for power transmission and distribution in diverse scenarios – from residential buildings and commercial complexes to industrial facilities, renewable energy projects, and major infrastructure developments.
Our cables have been successfully deployed in landmark projects including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the Beijing National Library, the Qingdao Metro, and the Beijing Metro – a testament to their quality, reliability, and performance under demanding conditions.
Summary：
|
Aspect |
Low Voltage |
Medium Voltage |
High Voltage |
|
Voltage Range |
≤ 1 kV |
1 kV – 35 kV |
> 35 kV |
|
Typical Use |
End-user distribution |
Urban/industrial distribution |
Long-distance transmission |
|
Construction |
Simple |
Shielding layers required |
Complex, clean-room manufactured |
|
Key Concern |
Shock prevention |
Partial discharge management |
Insulation purity |
Choosing the right cable for your project starts with understanding the voltage level. Whether you need Low Voltage Power Cables for a building project, Medium Voltage Power Cables for an industrial facility, or High Voltage Power Cables for a major transmission line, Hebei Yongshang Cable Group has the expertise and product range to meet your requirements.
For more information or technical support, please contact Hebei Yongshang Cable Group.
