Immunity of power line communications (PLC) in disturbed networks

This paper presents an analysis of electromagnetic immunity of energy metering devices, using broadband power line communications (PLC) in low voltage (LV) supply networks with high levels of disturbance. Several tests have been carried out to characterize the behavior of PLC modems and couplers in presence of the most common types of disturbances and electromagnetic interferences (EMI) which can be expected in LV distribution networks. The method exposed allows repeat the tests with different modems, communications wires and couplers. Thus it is possible to compare different elements between them and choose the best for every occasion.