1. Scope

Adequate power supply systems constitute an essential part of any country's technical infrastructure. Such systems comprise facilities for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

This brief deals with the planning, construction and operation of all technical facilities required for transmitting and distributing electric power.

Transmission is understood as the conveyance of electrical energy from its place of generation to its place of use. Power transmission is characterized by the conveyance of electric power over comparatively long distances with the aid of high-voltage and medium-voltage systems. Depending on the relative locations of the power generating facilities and the power consumers, many different forms of landscape and vegetation can be affected.

Distribution is understood as the delivery of electric power from the bulk power source to the consumer. As a rule, this involves relatively short distances within populated areas by way of medium-voltage and low-voltage systems.

The technical facilities required for transmitting and distributing electric power comprise mainly:

- overhead power lines
- cables
- transformer and switching stations.