IEC 60038:2009/AMD1:2021

IEC 60038 ®
Edition 7.0 2021-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
HO RIZONTAL PUBLICATION
PU BLICATION HORIZONTALE
AMENDMENT 1
AMENDEMENT 1
IEC standard voltages
Tensions normales de l’IEC
IEC 60038:2009-06/AMD1:2021-12(en-fr)

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: +41 22 919 02 11
3, rue de Varembé info@iec.ch
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC online collection - oc.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced have access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 000 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and
and French, with equivalent terms in 18 additional languages.
once a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: sales@iec.ch.
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC - IEC online collection - oc.iec.ch
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Découvrez notre puissant moteur de recherche et consultez
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC gratuitement tous les aperçus des publications. Avec un
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, abonnement, vous aurez toujours accès à un contenu à jour
comité d’études, …). Elle donne aussi des informations sur adapté à vos besoins.
les projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées.

Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just
monde, avec plus de 22 000 articles terminologiques en
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues.
anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email.
16 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire

Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
sales@iec.ch.
IEC 60038 ®
Edition 7.0 2021-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
H ORIZONTAL PUBLICATION
P UBLICATION HORIZONTALE
AMENDMENT 1
AMENDEMENT 1
IEC standard voltages
Tensions normales de l’IEC
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-1050-9

– 2 – IEC 60038:2009/AMD1:2021
© IEC 2021
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC STANDARD VOLTAGES
AMENDMENT 1
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Amendment 1 to IEC 60038:2009 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 8: System
aspects of electrical energy supply.
The text of this Amendment is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
8/1600/FDIS 8/1603/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Amendment is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications/.

© IEC 2021
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
___________
Throughout the document, delete:
a.c., d.c. and r.m.s.
and replace with:
AC, DC and RMS.
FOREWORD
Add, under "The significant technical changes are:", the following new text:
• co-ordination of Table 1 of IEC 60850:2014 and Table 2 of IEC 60038;
• co-ordination of 60 Hz highest and lowest values with major national 60 Hz standards;
• co-ordination of Annex A with IEC 60364-5-52:2009;
• a new table covering single wire earth return systems for remote areas.

Add, before the scope, the following new Introduction:
INTRODUCTION
This publication has been prepared by TC 8, whose scope is to prepare and coordinate, in co-
operation with other TC/SCs, the development of international standards and other deliverables
with an emphasis on overall system aspects of electricity supply systems and an acceptable
balance between the cost and quality for the users of electrical energy. The electricity supply
system encompasses transmission and distribution networks and connected user installations
(generators and loads including traction systems) with their network interfaces.

1 Scope
After the words "This publication does not apply to standard voltages of components and parts
used within electrical devices or items of equipment.", delete

– 4 – IEC 60038:2009/AMD1:2021
© IEC 2021
This publication specifies standard voltage values which are intended to serve
– as preferential values for the nominal voltage of electrical supply systems, and
– as reference values for equipment and system design.
and replace with
This publication has the status of a horizontal standard in accordance with IEC Guide 108. As
such, this publication specifies standard voltage values which are intended to serve:
• as preferential values for the nominal voltage of electrical supply and utilization systems,
and
• as maximum, nominal and minimum reference values for both equipment and power supply
in both electricity supply and utilization systems so that product and power system
committees can co-ordinate their documents.
Add, after Note 2, the following new Notes 3, 4 and 5:
NOTE 3 National Committees and individual systems can set values that differ from, but still comply with, the
reference values in this document provided the values they set lie between the highest voltage for equipment and
the lowest supply or utilization voltages in this document. Such variations can be required due to legacy or rating
issues.
NOTE 4 To comply with this documentneither the lowest supply or utilization voltage can be lower than the lowest
voltage for equipment.
NOTE 5 Some National committees set different nominal values for supply and utilization.

3 Terms and definitions
Add, after 3.9, the following new definitions:
3.10
electric power system
electricity supply system (in a broad sense)
all installations and plant provided for the purpose of generating, transmitting and distributing
electricity
[SOURCE: IEV 601-01-01]
3.11
lowest voltage for equipment
lowest voltage for which the equipment is specified regarding characteristics which may be
linked to this lowest voltage in the relevant equipment recommendations
Note 1 to entry: Equipment should only be used on systems having a lowest supply or utilization voltage greater
than or equal to its lowest voltage for equipment.
3.12
low voltage
LV
1) a set of voltage levels used for the distribution of electricity where the nominal voltage is
generally accepted to be up to 1 000 V for alternating current and 1 500 V for direct current
2) the lowest of two or more voltages in an apparatus or installation
[SOURCE: IEV 601-01-26, modified and IEV 151-15-04]

© IEC 2021
3.13
high voltage
HV
1) in a general sense, the set of voltage levels in excess of low voltage
2) in a restrictive sense, the set of upper voltage levels used in power systems for bulk
transmission of electricity
3) the highest of two or more voltages in an apparatus or installation
[SOURCE: IEV 601-01-27 and IEV 151-15-06]
4.1 AC systems having a nominal voltage between 100 V and 1 000 V inclusive and
related equipment
In the Note, replace IEC 60364-5-52:2001 with IEC 60364-5-52:2009.
4.2 DC and a.c traction systems
Delete the existing Table 2 and replace it with the following:
a
Table 2 – DC and AC traction systems
Voltage Nominal frequency of AC
systems
Lowest Nominal Highest
Hz
V V V
DC systems 500 750 900
1 000 1 500 1 800
2 000 3 000 3 600
AC single-phase systems 12 000 15 000 17 250 16 2/3
19 000 25 000 27 500 50 or 60
a
The values indicated in the table are the values agreed by IEC technical committee 9, Electrical equipment and
systems for railways. See IEC 60850:2014, Table 1 and Table B.1 for duration details.

4.3 AC three-phase systems having a nominal voltage above 1 kV and not exceeding
35 kV and related equipment
Add, under the sentence "It is also recommended that only one of the two series of nominal
voltages given for series I should be used in any one country.", the following new text and
Table 7:
The voltages in Table 7 have been derived from three-phase highest voltage for equipment
voltages of 24 kV and 36 kV respectively. The highest voltage of the system and nominal
voltages are based on the three-phase systems that supply 50 Hz SWER systems.
Table 7 – AC single wire earth return (SWER) systems
Highest voltage for Highest voltage of Nominal voltage of
equipment system system
kV kV kV
24 13,9 12,7
36 20,8 19,1
– 6 – IEC 60038:2009/AMD1:2021
© IEC 2021
Annex A – Highest and lowest voltage values at supply and utilization terminals
for a.c. systems having a nominal voltage between 100 V and 1 000 V
Delete the following text:
Table A.1 gives the highest and lowest voltage values at supply terminals and at utilization
terminals, as they can be derived from the text related to Table 1 in Clause 4, and from the
indications provided by IEC 60364-5-52:2009.
NOTE Values in Table A.1 are based on the note in IEC 60364-5-52:2001, Clause 525, which indicates that "In the
absence of other considerations, it is recommended that in practice the voltage drop between the origin of consumer's
installation and the equipment should not be greater than 4 % of the nominal voltage of the installation". Clause 525
of IEC 60364-5 is presently under consideration. Values for lowest utilization voltages should be modified in future
in accordance with revisions of IEC 60364-5-52.
and replace it with:
Table A.1 gives the highest, nominal and lowest reference voltage values at supply terminals
and at utilization terminals for 50 Hz and 60 Hz AC systems having a nominal voltage between
100 V and 1 000 V.
The values are derived from Table 1 in Clause 4, and from IEC 60364-5-52:2009.
NOTE Values in Table A.1 are based on 3 % (lighting) and 5 % (other) voltage drops in the consumer’s premises
(IEC 60364- 5-52:2009) and a ±10 % supply voltage range at 50 Hz on three-phase systems calculations. 60 Hz
three-phase values are based on a supply voltage range of +6 % to −14 %, except for 230/400 V which is ±10 %.
Calculation of single-phase extreme values use the phase-phase value over √3 in order to maintain the √3 ratio after
rounding.
Delete the existing Table A.1 and replace it with the following:

© IEC 2021
Table A.1 – Highest and lowest voltage values at supply and utilization terminals
for AC systems having a nominal voltage between 100 V and 1 000 V
Systems Rated Voltage
frequency
V
Hz
Highest Nominal Lowest supply Lowest utilization voltage
voltage for voltage of voltage
Lighting Other
equipment system
(supply or
utilization
voltage)
c
Three-phase 50 254 207 200 196
four-wire, three-
a
254/440 207/360 200/348 196/340
wire or single- 230/400
phase two-wire
b
440/759 360/621 348/600 340/587
400/690
systems
1 100 1 000 900 870 850
60 1
...