ANSI C84.

1: ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT – VOLTAGE

RATINGS (60 Hz)
Monday, April 18, 2011
ANSI C84.1 establishes the nominal voltage ratings and operating tolerances for 60-Hz electric power
systems above 100 volts (steady-state voltage levels only). Its latest revision, ANSI C84.1-2006
includes preferred voltage ratings up to and including 1200 kV maximum system voltage. However, it
does not include momentary disturbances, which may be the result of, but not limited to, utility
switching operations, large motor starts, lightning strikes, fault clearing and similar occurrences. ANSI
C84.1 makes recommendations to other standardizing groups with respect to voltage ratings for
equipment used on power systems and for utilization devices connected to such systems.

In this post, the focus will be on ANSI C84.1 standard nominal system voltages and voltage classes.
Refer to this article for voltage tolerances: ANSI C84.1 – Voltage Ranges.

Basically, the standard stated the following objectives:

1. Promote a better understanding of the voltages associated with power systems and utilization
equipment to achieve overall practical and economical design and operation.
2. Establish uniform nomenclature in the field of voltages
3. Promote standardization of nominal system voltages and ranges of voltage variations for operating
systems
4. Promote standardization of equipment voltage ratings and tolerances
5. Promote coordination of relationships between system and equipment voltage ratings and tolerances
6. Provide a guide for future development and design of equipment to achieve the best possible
conformance with the needs of the users
7. Provide a guide, with respect to choice of voltages, for new power system undertakings and for
changes in old ones.

System Voltage Classes

Subsequently, ANSI C84.1 defines the system voltages into classes depending on the system voltage
magnitude.

 Low Voltage (LV) – Nominal voltage 1000 V or less

 Medium Voltage (MV) –Greater than 1000 V but less than 100 kV
 High Voltage (HV) – Class of nominal system voltages from 100 kV to 230 kV
 Extra-High Voltage (EHV) – Greater than 230 kV but less than 1000 kV
 Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) – System voltages that are equal to or greater than 1000 kV
Nominal System Voltages

ANSI C84.1 has published the following standard nominal system voltages:

ANSI C84.1 Standard Nominal System Voltages

Note: Bold-face type numbers are the preferred system voltages

The medium voltage 3-wire systems of 4160, 6900 and 13800 volts, are particularly suited for industrial
systems that supply predominantly polyphase loads, including large motors. This is because these
voltages correspond to standard motor ratings of 4000, 6600 and 13200 volts, respectively. It is not
intended to recommend the use of these system voltages for utility primary distribution, for which four-
wire voltages of 12470Y/7200 volts or higher should be used.

Reference:
ANSI C84.1-2006

ANSI C84.1 ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT - VOLTAGE

RANGES
Saturday, April 2, 2011
ANSI C84.1 is the American National Standard for Electric Power Systems and Equipment –
Voltage Ratings (60 Hertz). In 1954, the first version of ANSI C84.1 was basically a combination
of the Edison Electric Institute Standard that represents utilities, and the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Currently, the latest version is ANSI C84.1-2011.

The standard establishes the nominal voltage ratings and operating tolerances for 60-Hz electric
power systems above 100 volts up to a maximum system voltage of 1200 kV (steady-state voltage
levels only). However, in this post, the focus will be on ANSI C84.1 Voltage Ranges. Refer to this
article for standard nominal system voltages and voltage classes: ANSI C84.1 - Voltage Ratings.

ANSI C84.1 specifies the steady-state voltage tolerances for an electrical power system. The
standard divides voltages into two ranges. Range A is the optimal voltage range. Range B is
acceptable, but not optimal.
 ANSI C84.1 Voltage Ranges

Notes:
a. The shaded portions of the ranges do not apply to circuits supplying lighting load
b. The shaded portion of the range does not apply to 120 V - 600 V s ystems.

Please take note that transient voltages (i.e. sags and surges) go beyond these limits and are
covered by other voltage standards – ITIC and CBEMA Curves.

From the figure above, the following can be deduced:

For 120 V - 600 V Systems

ANSI C84.1 Service Voltage Limits

 Range A minimum voltage is 95% of nominal voltage

  Range A maximum voltage is 105% of nominal voltage
 Range B minimum voltage is 91.7% of nominal voltage
 Range B maximum voltage is 105.8% of nominal voltage

ANSI C84.1 Utilization Voltage Limits

 Range A minimum voltage is 90% of nominal voltage - refer to Note (a) for limitation
 Range A maximum voltage is 104.2% of nominal voltage - refer to Note (b) for limitation
 Range B minimum voltage is 86.7% of nominal voltage - refer to Note (a) for limitation
 Range B maximum voltage is 105.8% of nominal voltage

For Systems Greater Than 600 V

ANSI C84.1 Service Voltage Limits

 Range A minimum voltage is 97.5% of nominal voltage

 Range A maximum voltage is 105% of nominal voltage
 Range B minimum voltage is 95% of nominal voltage
 Range B maximum voltage is 105.8% of nominal voltage

ANSI C84.1 Utilization Voltage Limits

 Range A minimum voltage is 90% of nominal voltage

 Range A maximum voltage is 105% of nominal voltage
 Range B minimum voltage is 86.7% of nominal voltage
 Range B maximum voltage is 105.8% of nominal voltage

In addition, the difference between minimum service and minimum utilization voltages is intended
to allow for voltage drop in the customer’s wiring. Moreover, this difference is greater for service
at more than 600 volts to allow for additional voltage drop in transformations between service
voltage and utilization equipment. The National Electrical Code (NEC) allows up to a 5% drop –
up to 3% drop in the main feeder and an additional <3% in individual branch circuits.
Therefore, for common nominal system voltages, the recommended range as per ANSI C84.1 for
120 V - 600 V systems will be as indicated below.

ANSI C84.1-2006 Service Voltage Range

ANSI C84.1-2006 Utilization Voltage Range

The occurrence of service voltages outside the Range A limits should be infrequent. Range A
must be the basis for the utilization equipment’s design and rating in order to give satisfactory
performance. Range B necessarily results from the practical design and operating conditions on
supply and/or user systems, which are part of practical operations. However, such conditions
should be limited in extent, duration and frequency. Corrective measures shall be undertaken
within a reasonable time to bring back voltages within Range A limits, in cases of Range B values
occurrence.

Furthermore, it should be recognized that because of conditions beyond the control of the supplier
and/or user, there will be infrequent and limited periods when steady-state voltages exceed
Range B limits. Utilization equipment may not operate satisfactorily under these conditions, and
protective devices may operate to protect the utilization equipment.

References:
ANSI C84.1-2006
Kusko, A. and Thompson, M. (2007). Power Quality in Electrical Systems. New York: McGraw-
Hill.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (1999). Voltage Tolerance Boundary