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Protection

Talking about the grid expansion, questions of radiation protection have to be considered right from the start. The legal framework on limits of exposure provides for protection from scientifically proven health hazards. Preventative measures complete these exposure limits with regard to scientific uncertainties and discussed but yet unproven effects.

Limit values

To date, electric energy has been transmitted from the power plant to the consumer almost exclusively through high-voltage lines carrying alternating current at a frequency of 50 hertz. In the course of the energy transition, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) installations are also planned in Germany.

Precautions against exposure to static and low frequency fields

Limit values offer up-to-date protection from the established harmful effects of electric and magnetic fields. Precautionary measures enhance the limit values so as to accommodate scientific uncertainties in risk assessment.

European limit values and regulations

In 1999, the Council of the European Union published the "Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)" (1999/519/EC). The recommendation includes among others reference levels relevant for the power supply. Within the European Union the European countries handle the "Recommendation" for reference levels concerning power supply in different ways. This article provides an overview.

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