Keskijännitteen

Keskijännitteen, a Finnish term, translates to "medium voltage" in English and refers to a specific range of electrical voltage levels. It is generally considered to be above low voltage and below high voltage. The exact boundaries can vary depending on the region and specific regulations, but typically it encompasses voltages from 1 kilovolt (kV) up to 35 kV or sometimes 69 kV.

Medium voltage systems are commonly used for power distribution within cities, towns, and industrial areas. They are a crucial link between the high voltage transmission lines that carry electricity over long distances and the low voltage networks that supply power directly to homes and businesses. The use of medium voltage allows for more efficient transmission of electricity compared to low voltage, while also being safer and more manageable than high voltage systems.

In a typical power distribution network, electricity is stepped down from very high voltages at transmission substations to medium voltages. This medium voltage is then carried through overhead lines or underground cables to local substations. At these local substations, the voltage is further reduced to low voltage levels (e.g., 230V or 400V in Europe) before being supplied to end-users. Common applications for medium voltage include powering factories, commercial buildings, hospitals, and street lighting. Specialized equipment such as transformers, switchgear, and circuit breakers are designed to operate within these medium voltage ranges.