Upwards to a reliable bi-directional communication link on the LV power supplies for utility services: field tests in Belgium

There is an increasing interest in the use of a bi-directional communication link between the electricity distribution company and the LV consumers to implement for example load management and distribution automation. Installation of a local network, by use of physical links involve irresponsible costs. Using the LV power lines not only for energy distribution, but also as a communication vehicle is therefore a favourable solution. However, there are a lot of disadvantages involved. Mains signalling has the reputation of being unreliable due to the high noise levels and strange transfer characteristics which are strongly time and place dependent. The authors examine mains signalling and indicate how reliable bi-directional communication can be made by applying advanced communication and coding techniques in the frequency band of 10 kHz to 95 kHz. As an example remote meter reading, among the unlimited utility services, was used to test the communication system