PLCC uses high voltage transmission lines to transmit speech, telemetry, and protection commands between substations in a cost effective and reliable way. The signals are modulated onto a carrier frequency between 40-500kHz and injected onto the line through coupling capacitors. Line traps allow the signals to pass through but prevent them from entering the substations. The technology provides communication without additional wiring by using the existing power infrastructure.

1. Power Line Carrier Communication
(PLCC)
Submitted By:
Er. Vishwesh Kumar Sharma

2. PLCC Technology

PLCC system uses the same High Voltage transmission line connecting
two sub-stations for telecommunication purpose too.

PLCC is used in all power utilities as a primary communication service to
transmit speech, telemetry and protection tripping commands. This is
economic and reliable for inter grid message transfer as well as low bit
rate RTU signals.

The voice/data are mixed with radio frequency carrier (40-500kHz),
amplified to a level of 10-80W RF power and injected in to high voltage
power line using a suitable coupling capacitor. The power line as a rigid
long conductor parallel to ground, guides the carrier waves to travel along
the transmission line. Point to point communication takes place between
two SSB transceivers at both ends.

3. Power Line Carrier Communication System
L.T
Power Line
(50Hz)
C.C
RF carrier
(40-500kHz)
PAX
RTU
PLCC TERMINAL
(ABB-ETL41)
Transmission line

4. Coupling Scheme
To remote
Line Trap
substation
Coupling
Capacitor
Line
Matching
Unit
•Transformer(s)
•BusBar
Coaxial
Local substation
PLC terminal
The PLC
signal is
routed to
H.V Line
The PLC
signal is
not
absorbed
by the
substation

5. Components
PLCC Terminal = Translates Voice and data into High Frequency Carrier. Output
Power =10 to 80W
LMU = Line Matching Unit = For impedance matching between line and coaxial
cable, includes high voltage protection devices like drainage coil(20mH), lightening
arrestor(500V) and an earth switch.
Coupling Capacitor (C.C) = Couples high frequency carrier with Power Line (
4000 to10000pF)
Line Trap (L.T) = Do not allow the transmitted HF carrier to enter inside the substation. (L = 0.5 to 2mH) With out Line trap HF carrier get by- passed to some
other line on the same bus bar and may leak to ground ( a earth switch inside the
yard provided for each bay is kept closed during maintenance)

6. Line Trap function = PLC signal Blocking
Power energy
PLC Signal
Substation
Line Trap = High Impedance for PLC signal
Low Impedance for Power energy

7. Line Trap is a parallel LC circuit
Inductance
of
main Coil
Lightning
Arrester
Series
resistance
Tuning
Capacitor

8. Line Traps Mounting Options
Vertical Pedestal
Horizontal Pedestal
Suspension

9. LMU function
LMU = impedance matching Transformer + high voltage Protection


To prevent dangerous potential on the PLCC connection
To match PLCC set & transmission Line
Matching
+
LMU
Protection

10. PLCC Panel ( type: ABB ETL 41/42)
Cabinet
Module

11. ABB PLCC terminal ETL- 41
System data -- complies to IEC 495


Operating mode : Single side band Suppressed carrier
Frequency range: 40 to 500kHz (programmable in 4 kHz
Steps)

AF Bandwidth: 4 kHz (Speech band=300 – 3400 Hz)

Transmitter RF output power : 40W ( +46 dBm)

Receiver Selectivity : 70dB ( 300Hz from band limit)

Receiver Image rejection > 80 dB

12. PLCC Panel Tx Block

13. PLCC Panel Rx Block

14. Types of Coupling
(A) Phase to Ground coupling :-

15. Types of Coupling
(B) Phase to Phase coupling :-

16. Types of Coupling
(C) Inter Line coupling :-

17. Typical PLCC Installation
LT
LT
cc
cc
C
FAX
ETL
ETL
FAX
M
M
PR
PC
MS
PAX
FAX
MS = Master station
PAX = Private automatic exchange
PR = Protection relay
PC = Computer
M = Modem
PR
PC
RTU
FAX
PR= Protection relay
FAX = Facsimile equipment
M = Modem
RTU = Remote terminal unit

18. Batteries
•
PLCC work on rectified AC or main supply, when supply
goes off, we make use of a device for proper functioning of
PLCC called battery charger.
•
This is the device that provide supply to the PLCC
equipment for uninterrupted working.
•
It provide DC to the panel by battery.

20. Advantages



No separate wires are needed for communication
purposes, as the power lines themselves carry power as
well as communication signals. Hence the cost is less.
Power lines have appreciably higher mechanical strength
compared with ordinary lines. They would normally remain
unaffected under the conditions, which might seriously
damage telephone lines.
Power lines usually provide the shortest route between
the power stations.

21. Advantages



Power lines have large cross-sectional area resulting in
very low resistance per unit length. Consequently carrier
signals suffer much less attenuation than when they travel
on telephone lines of equal lengths.
Power lines are well insulated to provide only negligible
leakage between conductors and ground even in adverse
weather conditions
Largest spacing between conductors reduces
capacitance, which results in smaller attenuation at high
frequencies. The large spacing also reduces the cross talk
to a considerable extent.

22. Disadvantages


Proper care has to be taken to guard carrier equipment
and persons using them against high voltages and
currents on the lines.
Noise introduced by power lines is far more than in case
of telephone lines. This is due to the noise generated by
discharge across insulators, switching processes.