Radiation and attenuation of communication signals on power lines

Abstract

It is desirable to use the same power line for sending communication signals as well as transmitting power. These communication signals can be used to control smart metering, provide network control and even provide Broadband communications over Power Lines (BPL). There is concern about the amount of radiation produced by Power Line Communications (PLC). The authors have developed a Matlab® program for calculating the radiation and resistive attenuation for power lines from PLC signals. Results are presented for Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) lines, for three phase overhead lines using typical conductors mounted on crossarms and for bundled aerial conductors. These results show that depending on the cable and signal frequency, PLC can be achieved without causing a significant interference.