Why Voltage Levels Matter in Medium-Voltage Grids

Understanding these voltage classes helps utilities, EPCs, and industrial users select the right switchgear for their specific application — balancing efficiency, safety, and cost.

⚡ What Are Medium-Voltage Levels?

Medium voltage typically covers the range from 1 kV to 52kV, bridging the gap between low-voltage systems (used within buildings and facilities) and high-voltage transmission networks.

Within Europe, three nominal voltage classes are most common:

• 12 kV – Common in local or industrial networks, serving smaller loads such as municipal grids, industrial facilities, or compact substations.
• 24 kV – The most widely used voltage level for regional distribution networks, connecting substations, renewables, and communities.
• 36 kV – Chosen where higher power transfer or longer distances require additional insulation strength and operational headroom.

Each voltage level represents a trade-off between equipment size, cost, and system capacity.
Higher voltages allow more power to be transmitted with less current, reducing losses and cable sizes — but they require stronger insulation and more robust equipment design.

🧱 How Voltage Level Influences Switchgear Design

For switchgear manufacturers, voltage level is one of the key defining parameters. It dictates:

• Insulation type and thickness (air, gas, solid dielectric, or hybrid)
• Creepage and clearance distances
• Breaker design and rated short-circuit current
• Busbar configuration and enclosure dimensions

A 36 kV system, for example, needs greater dielectric strength and spacing than a 24 kV equivalent — but modern design and insulation technologies have made these higher ratings achievable in increasingly compact footprints.

🌍 Nuventura’s Focus: 24 kV and 36 kV SF₆-Free GIS

At Nuventura, our product portfolio focuses on 24kV and 36 kV SF₆-free gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) — covering the vast majority of MV applications in Europe and beyond.

Our technology is based on dry-air insulation, delivering the same compactness, reliability, and performance as conventional SF₆ GIS, without relying on greenhouse gases.

This makes Nuventura’s switchgear ideal for:

• Urban and suburban substations, where space and safety are critical.
• Renewable generation sites (wind and solar farms) requiring higher ratings.
• Industrial networks seeking robust, low-maintenance power distribution solutions.

Whether a project requires a standard 24 kV configuration or a high-capacity 36 kV system, our designs ensure compatibility, flexibility, and environmental responsibility.

🔋 Performance Without Compromise

Nuventura’s dry-air GIS achieves the same electrical performance as traditional SF₆-based systems:

• High short-circuit withstand ratings (up to 31.5 kA).
• Internal arc classification (AFLR) for maximum operator safety.
• Type-tested pressure integrity according to IEC 62271 standards.

By replacing SF₆ with natural air, we eliminate the environmental burden of a gas with a global warming potential 23,500× higher than CO₂, while maintaining full compliance with international standards.

🧭 Covering Europe’s Grid — Efficiently and Sustainably

Because most European MV networks operate at 24 kV and 36kV, our portfolio aligns perfectly with the region’s infrastructure —enabling utilities and panel builders to transition to SF₆-free technology without rethinking their network design or equipment standards.

In other words, Nuventura covers the voltage levels that matter most, offering a future-proof solution for the energy transition already underway across Europe.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Voltage level defines how efficiently and safely power is transmitted in MV grids.
• 24 kV and 36 kV systems cover most European use cases — from local substations to large renewable sites.
• Nuventura’s dry-air-insulated GIS combines the performance of SF₆ GIS with the environmental responsibility of natural air.
• Our portfolio offers a seamless path for utilities and panel builders to meet regulatory and sustainability goals.

A Cleaner Grid, Built for Every Voltage That Matters

At Nuventura, we believe sustainability should enhance — not limit — performance.
By focusing on 24 kV and 36 kV SF₆-free switchgear, we deliver solutions that are compact, safe, efficient, and ready for the future of power distribution.