Low voltage direct current (LVDC)

Energy efficiency and universal electricity access

We are living in a direct current world. The majority of devices we use in homes, offices, healthcare facilities, greenhouses or data centres can use electricity from renewables as direct current (DC), without conversion to alternating current (AC). This includes for example battery operated equipment, electronics, LED lighting, electric vehicles and more.

In developed economies, the use of LVDC will help improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint while ensuring excellent power quality.

In developing countries it will allow the direct use of power generated by a solar panel, small wind turbine or micro hydro, including in remote locations. This technology will accelerate electricity access for the 1,2 billion people worldwide who still have none.

IEC is leading efforts to make LVDC technology safe for use in rural electrification or homes, but also in data centres, buildings and other areas where a lot of energy could be used directly without losses in energy conversion.

IEC International Standards for LVDC provide the technical foundation for manufacturers to build safe DC products and guide installers of LVDC systems anywhere in the world. They allow regulators to bench-mark and compare systems from different vendors. IEC LVDC Standards will facilitate the broad roll-out and application of LVDC technologies and underpin local manufacturing of appliances. They will help accelerate commercialization and open up markets to fair competition which benefits the end consumer.