Why low voltage direct current is the future

IEC report makes case for LVDC

Geneva, Switzerland, 26 September 2017– Many devices and appliances we use today operate with low voltage direct current (LVDC), including LED lighting, IT equipment, electric vehicles and all devices containing batteries, to name a few. More recently, the use of DC motors in refrigerators, fans, and heating and cooling systems has improved energy efficiency.Additionally the cost of DC devices has greatly reduced.

“We have been living in a world of direct current (DC), we just didn’t realize it! Three megatrends, namely solar PV, LED lighting, and the global urgency toward energy efficiency and sustainability, have combined to give LVDC the unique edge over alternating current”, said VimalMahendru, Chair, IEC Systems Committee LVDC (SyC LVDC), and IEC Ambassador.

In developed economies, improving energy efficiency and increased adoption of renewable energy are key drivers for using DC, while in developing economies, DC provides the opportunity to bring electricity to 1,2 billion people on the planet who currently go without.

Standardization from the outset

Against this backdrop, IEC has compiled a report,LVDC: electricity for the 21st century, which examines the case for favouring LVDC over the currentlypredominant alternate current (AC). The report considers the entire LVDC landscape, including:

  • Stakeholders
  • Use cases for market assessment
  • International Standards for LVDC safety

The following brochures give additional details about the work IEC is doing for LVDC:

Electricity access - More than a promise: LVDC

LVDC: the better way

More information can also be found on the IEC LVDC web zone.

Join the LVDC community through the IEC LVDC LinkedIn Group.

Further Information

Gabriela Ehrlich

Tel: +41 22 919 02 78

Mob: +41 79 600 56 72

Email:

Skype: gabriela.ehrlich

About the IEC

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the world’s leading organization that prepares and publishes globally relevant International Standards for all electric and electronic devices and systems. It brings together 170 countries, representing more than 99% of the world population and world electricity generation. More than 20 000 experts cooperate on the global IEC platform and many more in each member country. They ensure that products work everywhere safely and efficiently with each other. The IEC also supports all forms of conformity assessment and administers four Conformity Assessment Systems that certify that components, equipment and systems used in homes, offices, healthcare facilities, public spaces, transportation, manufacturing, explosive environments and during energy generation conform to them.

IEC work covers a vast range of technologies: power generation (including all renewable energy sources), transmission, distribution, Smart Grid & Smart Cities, batteries, home appliances, office and medical equipment, all public and private transportation, semiconductors, fibre optics, nanotechnology, multimedia, information technology, and more. It also addresses safety, EMC, performance and the environment.

IEC– International Electrotechnical Commission I 3 rue de Varembé I PO Box 131 I CH-1211 Geneva 20 I Switzerland

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