Propagation Characteristics of kHz Band PLC Signal on MV–LV Distribution System

The kHz band power line communication (PLC) is one of the convincing mediums of the communication system for smart meter reading. Data transmission between medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) points to pass the transformer by PLC is interested. In this paper, the PLC signal propagation characteristics between points of MV at substation and LV at customer are calculated and analyzed. The results show that direct communication between points on MV distribution line and most LV customers is impossible due to large propagation losses at MV–LV transformer and on LV distribution line.