${\rm S}$-Parameters Model for Data Communications Over 3-Phase Transmission Lines

In the efforts to modernize the electrical power grid, data communication over existing power lines is emerging as an important new application. This paper introduces an -parameters model for a 3-phase transmission line. Such a model does not exist in the literature at present. The model reduces to that of a conventional 2-port network if only one phase is used for data communication. Testing of a 115 kV, 100 km-long transmission line have confirmed the theory. Furthermore, the bit error rate was found to be suitable for data communications under normal circumstances, except in the presence of adverse atmospheric conditions (e.g., lightning).