Hybrid fiber/coaxial systems: powering issues

Hybrid fiber/coaxial (HFC) systems can serve customers with analog and digital video and multi-media services as well as telephony. Power and backup power can be provided to loop-electronics over the coaxial conductors from single or multiple locations. Before defining the power architecture for HFC systems, the voltage and current levels and their type (AC or DC) must be established. To determine this, tradeoffs between a multitude of parameters are examined, including: safety, corrosion, code compliance, and equipment compatibility. This paper identifies candidate power node architectures that can provide HFC systems with power and backup reliably, efficiently, and in a cost effective manner. Electrical safety and shock hazards, corrosion, codes applicable in the USA, and equipment availability and compatibility, are discussed. A comparison is made of various power node architectures