Remote meter reading and control using high-performance PLC communications over the low voltage and medium voltage distribution networks

The authors examine new developments in high performance power line carrier (PLC) communications as a basis for an integrated approach to customer service automation and network automation. A central strategy is the use of the medium voltage (11 kV) distribution networks as well as the low voltage (240/415 V) distribution networks for communication. The traditional penalty of this approach, that of very low data rates due to the low carrier frequencies necessary for signals to pass through distribution transformers, is avoided by the use of a low-cost bypass device to couple signals around transformers. In this way, relatively high carrier frequencies can be employed leading to data rates of around 10000 baud throughout the distribution network