SIMULATION OF NARROWBAND POWER LINE CARRIER COMMUNICATION FOR SMART GRID APPLICATIONS

Abstract

For developing a reliable Power Line Carrier Communication (PLCC) system, it is extremely important to know the characteristics of different subsystems in PLCC and power lines. The circuit used to superimpose carrier signal from the transmitter with high potential power lines is termed as line tuners. The design and simulation of a capacitive type line tuner meeting IEC 60481:1974 and IEEE Std C93.4-2012 are included in this article. The wave trap allows the power signal to pass through but blocks the high-frequency carrier signal to reach terminal equipment which works at 50/60 Hertz. Three types of wave traps are studied as part of this paper: single frequency, dual frequency, and wideband wave traps. Impedance characteristics obtained in simulation show effective rejection of carrier signal as desired. The distribution power transformers are an inevitable part of the power line network which offers high attenuation to carrier signal as being inductive it functions as low pass filter. To overcome this problem a bypass circuit which could be incorporated in future power transformers is proposed in this article. The Resistance, Inductance, and Capacitance (RLC) parameter of the power line cable used in the simulation model are derived based on the experimental values observed on an actual 11 kV underground cable and thus replicates actual field conditions. A complete PLCC system with all the above components is presented in this article and can be used as a testbed by designers to validate the MODEM for communication in different topologies by modifying the elements according to actual field conditions.