Non-intrusive active power clamp filter on PLC channels for smart grid applications

Power line carrier communication (PLC) technique is widely used for information exchange in over-head and under-ground power lines. Achieving uniform channel impedance for PLC on power lines is quite challenging. Although narrowband high frequency filter provide an impedance matching required for the PLC signals, it is very complex and costly to implement them due to the presence of high voltage and current in the power line. In this study a novel active blocking technique is proposed for PLC signals in a specific path. The proposed topology is based on the clamp non-intrusive over-head active filter which is capable of blocking a specific frequency in the power line using novel control techniques. The proposed method is tested and validated with the simulation and experimental system.