Feasibility of NB-PLC in LT power distribution network of electric utility in Pakistan

Power Line Communication (PLC) is one of the most promising contender for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). There are other contending communication technologies but PLC has an inherent advantage of using existing power lines that makes it an attractive choice. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of the tests conducted for investigating the feasibility of PLCs as part of AMI on the utility grid in a developing country. The power distribution infrastructure of a utility company has its own set of issues and challenges including overloading, high concentration density, long service lines from distribution poles and unregulated/noisy loads. This study has been conducted for noise measurements and propagation of standard Narrow Band-PLC (NB-PLC) signals on carefully sampled sites that have the highest potential of failure due to noise and infrastructure related signal propagation challenges. The results derived from our investigation are crucial in devising an efficient and optimal implementation of PLC in a typical Low Tension (LT) power distribution network in Pakistan. The results indicate a higher than normal noise levels at many sites and a marginally successful propagation limited to only the nearest poles. The data transfer rates were also poor in majority locations thus limiting the overall scope of NB-PLC technology in high noise, high connection density environments and weak grids in developing countries.