Noise Sources, Effects and Countermeasures in Narrowband Power-Line Communications Networks: A Practical Approach

Abstract

Abstract:The integration of Distributed Generation, Electric Vehicles, and storage without compromising the quality of the power delivery requires the deployment of a communications overlay that allows monitoring and controlling low voltage networks in almost real time. Power Line Communications are gaining momentum for this purpose since they present a great trade-off between economic and technical features. However, the power lines also represent a harsh communications medium which presents different problems such as noise, which is indeed affected by Distributed Generation, Electric Vehicles, and storage. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the types of noise that affects Narrowband Power Line Communications, including normative noises, noises coming from common electronic devices measured in actual operational power distribution networks, and noises coming from photovoltaic inverters and electric vehicle charging spots measured in a controlled environment. The paper also reviews several techniques to mitigate the effects of noise, paying special attention to passive filtering, as for being one of the most widely used solution to avoid this kind of problems in the field. In addition, the paper presents a set of tests carried out to evaluate the impact of some representative noises on Narrowband Power Line Communications network performance, as well as the effectiveness of different passive filter configurations to mitigate such an impact. In addition, the considered sources of noise can also bring value to further improve PLC communications in the new scenarios of the Smart Grid as an input to theoretical models or simulations.

Empirical Analysis of the Communication in Industrial Environment Based on G3-Power Line Communication and Influences from Electrical Grid

“…Four unified narrowband PLC international standards are developed including PRIME, G3, IEEE P1901.2 and G.HNEM and according to the CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) frequency bands, all these four standards are applied in CENELEC A band (35.9-90.6 kHz), with the utilization of the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) band [16]. Table 1 summarizes the Narrowband PLC technologies.…”

“…In this scenario, some papers analyzed the communication performance of Broadband-PLC or Narrowband PLC based on PRIME technology, in different noise scenarios [15][16][17]. In this study, the G3-PLC standard was chosen to perform an analysis in a representative last-mile industrial environment with different noise scenarios, with the objective of verifying the technical feasibility of the standard in an industrial environment and the influence of noise interference generated by other equipment in its communication.…”

Field Trials for the Characterization of Non-Intentional Emissions at Low-Voltage Grid in the Frequency Range Assigned to NB-PLC Technologies

“…This type of noise might be the result of the addition of multiple noise sources or might come from a single device. For example, in [26] colored noise was found in measurements in LV grid, while in [56], the emissions introduced by a TV receiver and a water pump are shown to be in the shape of colored noise.…”

Comparison of Measurement Methods of LV Grid Access Impedance in the Frequency Range Assigned to Nb‑Plc Technologies

“…In this line, the analysis proposed in Reference [21] for the characterization of noise and non-intentional emissions generated by the electronics devices connected to the grid, which propagate through the propagation medium, together with the assessment of the transmission losses described in Reference [24], are complementary methods for a comprehensive characterization of the electrical grid as a propagation medium for NB-PLC. The use of passive filtering is one of the techniques analyzed to mitigate the effects of noise, but the input and output impedances of these filters, and their relation to the impedances of grid and smart meters, are relevant aspects to be considered [38]. .…”