What is PLC?

PLC stands for Powerline Communications, a technology that allows the use of the
electricity distribution network as a transmission medium not only for energy but also for
information. It is also commonly referred to as Broadband over Power Line (BPL) to underscore the
technology's capability to address broadband services. The term Access PLC is used to identify PLC
solutions aimed at providing consumers with broadband services through the external electricity
grid, while In-home PLC is used to identify PLC solutions aimed at applications within the home.

Key PLC concepts

• High speed data transmission over existing power-line grid

• No need for extra cabling
• Every socket becomes a communications port
• Wideband access to a global communications structure
• Ubiquitous access due to power lines capillarity
• "Always on" availability

FAQ'S

• What does PLC do?

• How does it work?
• What are the benefits of PLC?
• Can PLC coexist with wireless technologies?
• Can PLC coexist with electrical signals?
• Can PLC services function when there is no electrical power?
• How Does PLC work in conditions where the end user uses a generator to
maintain electricity?
• Who is supporting PLC?

What does PLC do?

PLC allows service providers to carry broadband telecommunications traffic over existing electric
distribution infrastructure without the need to install new networks. PLC can carry high-speed
telecommunications bandwidth through symmetrical connections, which means that not only
downstream but also upstream speeds are very high. This makes PLC one of the fastest and most
efficient broadband technologies for the local loop.

How does it work?

The concept is based on the idea of sending high frequency data signals over the same copper wires
that are used for low frequency energy transmission electricity. Data signals, such as internet
traffic, are injected into the powerline by a device called the PLC Master Node. These signals travel
through the powerline grid from the transformer station to the users' sockets. If there is too much
distance in between or the noise in the grid is too high, PLC Repeaters are used to successfully
reach the customers. At the customer premises, a PLC MODEM is connected to a standard electricity
socket to receive the data signals. The users' devices, such as PCs, telephones, and so on, are
connected to the PLC MODEM to allow the user to benefit from the services.

What are the benefits of PLC?

The potential of PLC is to activate every powerline with PLC and to have PLC networks within homes
and work spaces. PLC can provide solutions for the efficient management of the electricity grid to
ensure losses are curtailed. Other applications include remote surveillance, broadband internet
access, telephony and TV. PLC's major advantage is that the wiring infrastructure already exists.
The labour and equipment required to set up every power line with PLC is very cost effective
compared to other access technologies, delivering savings which can be passed on to the consumer.
Can PLC coexist with wireless technologies?
PLC like any other wire-based network that uses large portions of the Radio Frequency is subject to
strict limits of operations. To counter the effects of interference with other users such as the
Amateur Radio Operators, frequency notching is used to avoid any interference. All responsible PLC
providers are continually working with regulatory bodies such as the USA's FCC and Europe's
CENELEC to formulate a uniform standard for the industry. For example, notching has been a key
requirement of recent rulings from both the FCC and the Euro-pean Union. The DS2 product, the
one Cactel advocates, is the only regulatory compliant PLC technology to date.

Can PLC coexist with electrical signals?

The trans-mission of communication signal along the electricity grid is not adversely affected by the
electrical noise (Signal to Noise Ratio) generated by the flow of electricity due to the codec
techniques built into the technology. In other words the two signals are mutually independent of
each other. Signal propagation is further enhanced by the use of Repeaters to maintain signal
strength along the network to the end user.

Can PLC services function when there is no electrical power?

Like all communication services lack of electricity means that the end user equipment will most
probably not function without the aid of a back up power unit. The same applies to the PLC network
infrastructure. However, this situation can be countered by providing back up power units to all
intermediary equipment across the network to deal with short-term power outages. Therefore as
long as the source of a communication signal has power to transmit and the end-user equipment
has power to receive then any signal transmitted can be propagated to completion providing the
network has backup power units for all critical systems.

How Does PLC work in conditions where the end user uses a generator to maintain
electricity?
Several tests have been performed with PLC to investigate the effects of high levels of Radio
Frequency Interference and Electro Magnetic Interference noise generated by back up power
generators and other electrical devices. All tests performed to date have shown that PLC
communications signals are unperturbed by such noise environments due to the RF and EM filtering
cards installed in the key PLC components such as the Customer Premises Equipments.

Who is supporting PLC?

Influential industry groups and power utilities all around the world are supporting the development
and deployment of the PLC technology. Among industry groups are the PLCforum Association, a
leading worldwide industry Forum and a full partner of the OPERA Project, but also UPLC and PLCA
(in the US), PLC-J (in Japan), APTEL (in South America), and the HomePlug Alliance. As for electric
utilities, the PUA (PLC Utilities Alliance), involving EDF, EDP, EEF, EnBW, Endesa, ENEL, Iberdrola,
and Unión Fenosa, is the most important supporting group representing over 100 million clients