Jaotusliine

Jaotusliine is a term used in electrical power engineering to describe the distribution line that carries electric energy from substation equipment to local distribution networks and ultimately to end consumers. It is a component of the electrical grid that sits between the transmission system and customer facilities, helping to deliver energy at voltages suitable for further distribution or direct use.

In typical practice jaotusliinid operate at medium or low voltage, depending on the national grid arrangement. In many European systems, higher stages of distribution are at medium voltage (for example 10–35 kV), while final delivery to households and businesses occurs at low voltage (such as 0.4–1 kV). Jaotusliine can be installed as overhead lines on poles or towers or as underground cables placed in ducts, tunnels, or conduits. They include conductors, support structures, insulators, and protective equipment, and they are often integrated with switching gear, transformers, and protection systems at substations and feeder points.

Functions of jaotusliine include distributing power to feeders, enabling reliability through network topology and redundancy, and allowing connection/disconnection of circuit sections for maintenance or fault isolation. Maintenance and operation are governed by national electrical safety regulations and international standards, with attention to load capacity, insulation, fault protection, and vegetation management near lines.

Jaotusliine are distinct from transmission lines, which operate at higher voltages and cover longer distances. They form the backbone of the local distribution network, delivering electricity to consumers after it has been stepped down from transmission voltages.