Cables of different voltage levels (low voltage, medium voltage, high voltage)
Annotated Bibliography: Power Cables by Voltage Level (LV / MV / HV)
Scope and purpose: This bibliography is intended for cable design engineers, power-system technicians, graduate students and academic writers. Organised by low-voltage (LV), medium-voltage (MV) and high/extra-high-voltage (HV/EHV) levels, it compiles the core product and testing standards, design codes and literature, with entries in GB/T 7714 style and brief annotations.
1. Voltage-Level Classification
The customary classification of cables in China's AC power system (based on GB/T 156-2017 Standard voltages and the commentary of GB 50217-2018):
|
Class |
Voltage range |
Typical nominal voltages |
Notes |
|
Low voltage (LV) |
Up to 1 kV |
450/750 V, 0.6/1 kV |
Building distribution, power and lighting; PVC or XLPE insulation. |
|
Medium voltage (MV) |
3 kV–35 kV |
3.6/6, 6/10, 8.7/15, 12/20, 18/30, 21/35 kV |
Urban distribution feeders and laterals; mainly XLPE insulation; GB 50217 also customarily calls 66 kV medium voltage. |
|
High voltage (HV) |
66 kV–220 kV |
64/110, 127/220 kV |
Urban transmission and grid interconnection; XLPE insulation with strict requirements on impurities, partial discharge and water trees. |
|
Extra-high voltage (EHV) |
330 kV–750 kV |
500 kV |
Long-distance inter-provincial transmission trunk; XLPE or self-contained oil-filled cables using super-clean compound. |
|
Ultra-high voltage (UHV) |
1000 kV and above |
1000 kV (DC ±800 kV) |
Predominantly overhead lines so far; cable-engineering standards still under development. |
2. Voltage Level – Standards Mapping
|
Voltage level |
Rated voltage range |
Chinese standard |
International (IEC) standard |
|
LV |
Up to 0.6/1 kV |
GB/T 12706.1; GB/T 5023; JB/T 8734; GB/T 5013 |
IEC 60502-1; IEC 60227; IEC 60245 |
|
MV |
3.6/6 kV–26/35 kV |
GB/T 12706.2/.3 |
IEC 60502-2 |
|
HV |
66 kV–110 kV |
GB/T 11017.1/.2-2024 |
IEC 60840:2020 (>30–150 kV) |
|
HV/EHV |
220 kV |
GB/T 18890.1-.3-2015 |
IEC 62067:2022 (>150–500 kV) |
|
EHV |
330 kV–500 kV |
GB/T 22078 (500 kV) |
IEC 62067:2022 |
3. Core Standards
3.1 General Standards for Voltage Levels and Design
|
Standard No. |
Title |
Key content |
|
GB/T 156-2017 |
Standard voltages |
Specifies the nominal/standard voltage series for China's power systems and equipment; the basis for classifying LV/MV/HV/EHV levels and selecting cable rated voltages. |
|
IEC 60038 |
IEC standard voltages |
IEC standard voltages; the international basis for relating voltage levels to system nominal voltages. |
|
GB 50217-2018 |
Standard for cable design of electric power engineering |
Key engineering code for cable selection, cross-section, laying and voltage-level design; its commentary states the voltage boundaries between LV/MV/HV/EHV. |
3.2 Low-Voltage Cable Product Standards
|
Standard No. |
Title |
Key content |
|
GB/T 12706.1-2020 |
Extruded solid insulation power cables and accessories for rated voltage 1 kV (Um=1.2 kV) — Part 1 |
Product standard for 0.6/1 kV LV power cables; specifies XLPE/PVC insulation thickness, construction and finished-cable tests. |
|
GB/T 5023 (series) |
PVC insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V |
Product standard for low-voltage PVC building wires. |
|
JB/T 8734 (series) |
PVC insulated cables and flexible cords of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V |
Domestic companion product standard for low-voltage PVC wires and cables. |
|
IEC 60502-1:2021 |
Power cables with extruded insulation, 1 kV and 3 kV |
International product standard for LV extruded-insulation power cables. |
3.3 Medium-Voltage Cable Product Standards
|
Standard No. |
Title |
Key content |
|
GB/T 12706.2-2020 |
Extruded solid insulation power cables for rated voltage 6 kV (Um=7.2 kV) up to 30 kV (Um=36 kV) |
Product standard for MV XLPE cables (6/10 to 18/30 kV); specifies semi-conductive screens, insulation thickness and routine/sample tests. |
|
GB/T 12706.3-2020 |
Extruded solid insulation power cables for rated voltage 35 kV (Um=40.5 kV) |
Product standard for 26/35 kV cables, the upper MV limit. |
|
IEC 60502-2:2014+AMD1:2024 |
Power cables with extruded insulation, 6 kV up to 30 kV |
International product standard for MV extruded-insulation power cables. |
3.4 High-/Extra-High-Voltage Cable Product Standards
|
Standard No. |
Title |
Key content |
|
GB/T 11017.1/.2-2024 (effective 2025-04-01) |
XLPE insulated power cables and their accessories for rated voltages 66 kV and 110 kV |
Product and test standard for 64/110 kV HV XLPE cables; specifies super-clean insulation, partial discharge and insulation thickness. |
|
GB/T 18890.1-.3-2015 |
XLPE insulated power cables and their accessories for rated voltage 220 kV (Um=252 kV)
|
