An innovative power line communication solution for medium voltage smart grids applications

This paper summarizes the authors research activity concerning the design, modeling and experimental characterization of a new coupling system for medium voltage (MV) narrow band power line communications (NB-PLC). The proposed solution has been patented by authors and it exploits the capacitive divider of voltage detecting systems (VDSs) normally used to reveal the mains voltage presence, thus avoiding the use of dedicated MV couplers. In the following, the modeling of the VDS capacitive divider is presented and the interface card design is described, based on simulation of the whole PLC transmission channel. Laboratory tests are also presented. Finally, the results are shown of an on-field measurement campaign, which has been carried out the MV distribution networks of the Islands of Ustica and Favignana. Transmission tests demonstrate that the proposed VDS coupling system can be effective for narrowband modulated signal transmission.