The Residential Power Circuit as a Communication Medium

This paper is a summary of work done to characterize the residential power circuit as a communication medium. Here the term residential power circuit refers to that part of the power circuit on the secondary side of the distribution transformer. This circuit is often used for communication signals for controlling appliances, security devices, and for other purposes. The frequencies of most interest in these systems range from about 100 to 200 kHz. The interface to this circuit is usually a 120 V or 240 V receptacle used to deliver power. These communication systems are called residential power line carrier systems. Other types of power line carrier are distribution line carrier and transmission line carrier both of which are used by the power utilities for communications purposes.