Abstract
Power line communication (PLC) is one of the most today used technologies for both automatic meter reading and many other smart grid applications. In this framework, a characterization of the electrical network in the PLC frequency range is needed in terms of impedance measurement and received signal level. This can allow choosing the most suitable and less noisy frequency ranges for PLC transmission. Usually, these characterization measurements are performed with dedicated instrumentation and in the absence of mains voltage. This article wants to propose an alternative solution, which allows these kinds of measurements to be performed using electronic boards currently used as on-field applications, such as smart meters. To this aim, an innovative measurement tool is proposed, which does not need a specific characterization signal to be injected because it uses the preamble of a generic PLC transmission. Moreover, the impedance calculation is performed using an FFT analysis, which does not require high computational capabilities. These features allowed the proposed tool to be implemented using a G3-PLC transceiver, embedded in many commercial smart meters, and low-cost additional hardware. This article shows how the proposed system correctly measures the PLC impedance on CENELEC A, B, and FCC frequency ranges.
Highlights
The evolution of today's distribution networks into Smart Grids involves increasing the observability of the system, with the continuous and accurate measurement of various quantities such as current, voltage, frequency, power absorbed/generated by the systems and power quality parameters [1]-[5]
A communication infrastructure is essential between Distribution System Operators (DSO), metering systems and other actors involved in grid management, such as distributed generators, storage systems and users
Among the most popular communication technologies in distribution networks, power line communication (PLC) technology has the main advantage of a reduced cost of installation, because it uses the electrical network as communication link, and robustness, because it is based on a wired link [6]-[11]
Summary
Abstract—Power line communication is one of the most today used technologies, for both automatic meter reading and many other smart grid applications In this framework, a characterization of electrical network in PLC frequency range is needed in terms of impedance measurement and received signal level. This paper wants to propose an alternative solution, which allows these kinds of measurement to be performed using electronic boards currently used as on-field applications such as smart meters To this aim, an innovative measurement tool is proposed, which does not need a specific characterization signal to be injected, because it uses the preamble of a generic PLC transmission. The impedance calculation is performed using a FFT analysis, which does not require high computational capabilities These features allowed the proposed tool to be implemented using a G3-PLC transceiver, embedded in many commercial smart meters, and low-cost additional hardware.
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