PLCC Workbook 6E 26.3.13

INDUCTION LEVEL TRAINING BATCH 5 AT RTC MSETCL PADGHE
Power Line Carrier

Communication
Work book 1 (Sixth Edition)
(For Private Circulation only)
Dedicated to
My mother who taught me to do
my best at all times
Guided by
Shashank S. Jewalikar
SE TCC MSETCL Aurangabad
Compiled by Sunildatta V Kulkarni DyEE PLCC MSETCL Pune

Mobile no. 9405600828 (P) / 9767104420 (O)
E mail ID - kulkarni.sunildatta@gmail.com, dyeetelecom@gmail.com
Sixth Edition (dt. 26/03/2013)
Power Line Carrier Communication
The power line carrier communication is a technology which uses Power line as
physical media for Speech, Data & Protection Signal transmission.
Exercise
Look at the pictures & write their Names & Technical specifications
Page 2 of 30
MSETCL RTC Padghe B5 dt 26/3/13, PLCC Workbook 1-6E by Sunildatta V Kulkarni DyEE PLCC Pune
PLCC Network
Telephone –
1. A user end instrument that is used to transmit &

receive Voice frequency signals.
2. Voice frequency is audio range used for transmission of

speech ( 300 Hz to 3400 Hz)
3. Telephone bandwidth for a single voice frequency

channel is 4 KHz.
Page 3 of 30
Main Parts of Telephone
Transmitter (Microphone)
Receiver (Speaker)
Hook switch
Keypad
Tone Dialing
PLCC Numbering Scheme
PLCC Numbering scheme is OPEN numbering scheme.
Whenever subscriber dials a number he knows whether he is dialing for the local
exchange or remote PLCC exchange.
The dialing is transparent to the subscriber.
Network Access code + Reachable ID + Subscriber no.

0 + 32 + 41
Page 4 of 30
Power line Carrier Terminal (PLCT)
Fig Power line Carrier Terminal

Power line carrier Terminal converts a input signal of 4 KHz bandwidth to
the Radio Frequency RF signal and amplifies this signal to the desired output power level
up to 40 watts.
The RF range in PLCC system is 50 KHz to 500 KHz.

PLCC works on Modulation and Demodulation Process.
• Modulation is a technique used to convert a low frequency signal (information
signal) to a higher frequency signal (modulated signal) using a high frequency signal
(carrier).
• Demodulation is the opposite technique where information signal is extracted from
the carrier.
• Modulation & Demodulation requires Carrier frequency which is generated in
PLCC Panel.
(Make, Type, SC/TC & Tx Rx Fr.) (Make, Type,SC/TC & Tx Rx Fr.)

Page 5 of 30
o PLCC Terminals /Panels /sets/Cabinets are used as a pair one at each end of
the power line (between substations)
o Each PLCC Terminal is designated for a set of transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx)
frequencies (Channel Frequencies).
o These frequencies may be adjacent or separate.
o The corresponding PLCC terminal at the other end will be designated for the
reverse value of the transmission and reception frequencies.
o The channel Frequency will be either in 4 KHz or 8 KHz bandwidth
depending upon Single channel or Twin channel
1. PLCC freq band from 50 KHz to 500 KHz
2. Telephone frequency from 300 Hz to 3400 Hz
3. Pilot frequency 3.75 KHz (ABB PLCT)
4. Dial Frequency 3.81 KHz (ABB PLCT)
5. Guard Frequency = Pilot frequency 3.75 KHz (ABB PLCT)
6. Protection (Trip) Frequency 872 Hz (ABB NSD 50 Command A)
7. Data Frequency band 2 to 4 KHz

Page 6 of 30
LINE TRAP / WAVE TRAP
Wave traps are Series connected to the transmission lines.
The Wave trap is Parallel tuned circuit that presents high impedance to carrier
frequencies (50 KHz to 500 KHz) and low impedance to the power frequency (50 Hz).
Main components
1. L (Main Coil) – The coil is rated to carry Full line power frequency
current.
2. Tuning Pot is used to block the carrier frequency entering the substation.
3. LA (Protective device) protects against high voltage Surges caused by atmospheric

effects or switching operations.
Schematic diagram of line trap
For a well designed wave trap insertion loss is 1 to 3 dB & Blocking Attenuation
is 8 to 10 dB.
Page 7 of 30
Exercise
1. Label the parts of Line trap (Wave trap) given below.
2. Select Blocking band of Line Trap for Power line carrier terminal having frequency
96/92 U KHz.
Fig tuning pot

1. Band I (90 – 150 ) KHz - Connect the Line trap across A & B and Short B & B1.
2. Band II ( 150 – 500 ) KHz – Connect the line trap across C & D and Short D & D1.
Page 8 of 30
Coupling Capacitor (CC)
The main purpose of coupling Capacitor is twofold.
1. Protection of PLCC terminals from Extra High voltage.
2. Passing the HF signal with minimum attenuation.
One end of the Coupling Capacitor must be securely connected to ground Otherwise
Over voltages up to the magnitude of the operating voltage may occur on the equipment
side of the capacitor.
Exercise
3. Label the parts of Coupling Capacitor given below.
1. Primary Terminal
2. Expansion system
3. Capacitor elements
4. Rating plate
5. Low voltage
Terminal
6. Support Insulator
Page 9 of 30
Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVT)
CVT consists of Coupling capacitor & voltage Transformer.
Voltage Transformer for monitoring or control
& Coupling Capacitor for carrier communication.
Page 10 of 30
Line Matching unit (LMU) or coupling device (CD)
LMU is mounted on the structure that supports the coupling capacitor.
1. Balancing Transformer (BT ) provides better Phase splitting & couples the output
of the PLC terminal to the coupling filter.
It ensures the carrier signals are in healthy condition even under the failure of
any of the coupled phases & thus provides greater channel dependability.
2. Matching Transformer ( MT) performs the function of Impedance matching and

high voltage isolation between carrier equipment & line side.
3. The coupling filter together with the external CC forms a T section Band pass filter
Page 11 of 30
Exercise
1. Select the Pass band of LMU for Power Line Carrier Terminal having frequency
(96/92 ) U KHz
Pass band
1. 35 - 50 KHz
2. 50 – 90 KHz
3. 90 – 500 KHz
Three elements Protection device
The three elements Protection device consists of Drainage coil, LA & Earth switch.
1. Drain Coil for draining of power frequency currents to earth.
2. LA for transients protection at the primary terminals of coupling device.
3. Earthing switch for direct and efficient earthing of primary

Terminals.
Page 12 of 30
Insulated Single Conductor Lead in wire
To connect CC to the LMU, use an Insulated Single Conductor Lead in wire
Bare Conductors & Coaxial cable should not be used for this because it is possible to
Introduce excessive leakage to ground with former case & excessive
Capacitance with the latter.
The connection between the CC & LMU is high impedance
Point in the series tuned circuit formed by the tuning inductor & CC.
Stray capacitance & leakage to ground will increase the losses of LMU and affect the
bandwidth
Page 13 of 30
HF Cable or Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable is a two conductor cable made of a single conductor surrounded by a

braided wire jacket with a plastic insulating material separating the two.
. The coaxial cable provides Shielding so that noise cannot get into the cable and
cause interference.
The characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable is either 75 or 125 Ohms.
Characteristic Impedance( Z0 ) of a transmission line is defined as the ratio of the

voltage to the current of a traveling wave on a line of infinite length.
Characteristic impedance of line, Z 0 = 276 log D/r
Where D-Distance between Conductors, r- Radius of Conductor
Characteristic Impedance is also known as Surge Impedance, due to the temporarily

______________________________________________ behavior of any length
transmission line.
Page 14 of 30
Exercise
Find the mistakes in this picture
Hints -
1. Make, Type & Frequency of PLCT.

2. Selection of Passband of LMU.
3. Selection of Blocking band of Line trap.
4. PLCC Phase to Phase coupling.
5. Main HF Cable & HF loop connections.
Page 15 of 30
PLCC Coupling Schemes
Economic, Engineering & common sense
Mode 1 coupling / RYB coupling
Center ph to Outer ph RY /YB coupling (No Mode 3)
Center ph to Ground Y to Ground coupling ( No mode 2)
Outer ph to outer ph with Ground return RB coupling (No mode 2)
Outer ph to Ground R/Y/B to Ground coupling ( All 3 modes)
Modal Analysis
Modal analysis is a mathematical tool similar to symmetrical components
used for analyzing unbalanced faults on three phase power systems.
It can be shown that the number of natural nodes is equal to the number of
conductors involved in the propagation,
For example, 3 nodes in the case of a single circuit line with two earth wires
earthed at each tower
The phase conductor currents or voltages can be resolved into 3 sets of

natural mode components at any point on a lossy, reflection free three phase line.
Each mode has its own characteristics.
Page 16 of 30
Mode 1 is the least attenuated and least frequency dependent
Mode 2 is more frequency dependent and has more attenuated than mode 1.
Mode 3 is the highest attenuated mode and is propagated on all 3 phases and return via the
ground.
1. Center to Outer Push Pull coupling
2. Centre Phase to Ground Coupling
3. Outer to Outer Push Push coupling
4. Outer Phase to Ground Coupling
Page 17 of 30
Conventional 3 zone distance Protection System
Fig Conventional Protection System
Fig Trip Logic
In the absence of communication link, the operation of End zone fault is s longer &
auto reclosing is not possible.
400 KV 220 KV
Zone 1 time 0 ms 0 ms
Page 18 of 30
Carrier aided protection (CAP)
Carrier aided protection scheme is used for simultaneous tripping of near & far end
circuit breakers.
Protection Coupler equipments can be used along with PLCC terminals for
Tele protection requirements.
Fig Carrier aided protection
Fig Trip Logic for Carrier aided Protection
Page 19 of 30
Principle of operation
Under normal conditions, i.e. when there is no fault in the line, Guard frequency or
frequencies G1 & G2 will be continuously transmitted through the PLC channel for
monitoring the helthiness of the protection coupler.
In the event of operation of protection due to fault, the guard signals will be cut &
corresponding trip signals will be transmitted in the Speech band.
Speech & any other Data transmission are interupted while the trip signals are being
transmitted.
Block diagram of Protection Coupler

(Make -ABB, Type NSD 50)
Transmitter
1. Applying DC voltage to the input Tx Command interrupts the Pilot /Guard signal.
2. Tx Speech cut off.
3. Protection coupler will generate Trip frequency which will be fed to PLCC panel &
Tx counter increments.
Receiver
1. Continuously monitor Guard signal.
2. When found any trip frequency with absence of guard signal, Rx Speech is
interrupted & Rx counter increments.
3. At the same time Rx command command on the protection relay is activated.
Page 20 of 30
Trip Signal Frequencies of ABB make NSD 50 Protection coupler
Command A 872 Hz
Command B 1090 Hz
Command C 654 Hz / 1526 Hz

Command D 654 Hz / 1745 Hz
A & B Permissive Trip/ Uncoded Commands

C &D Direct Trip / Coded Commands.
A,B,C & D Commands are transmitted in Speech band
The performance of a protection coupler is assessed by means of three criteria.
• The Transmission time

• The Security ( Unwanted command probability)
• The Dependability ( missing command probability)
Page 21 of 30
PERMISSIVE TRIPPING SCHEME
This scheme is used for protection of power line with Distance relay.
Tripping can only take place at the receiving end if a tripping signal is being
received and local protection relay detects a fault.
Transmission Time – 12 ms
Command Prolongation (Trip Extension) time- 20ms
Direct Transfer tripping
The tripping command from the protection coupler goes directly to the circuit
breaker.
Transmission Time – 26 ms
Command Prolongation (Trip Extension) time- 100 ms
High dependability & Short transmission time take priority over security in
permissive tripping scheme.
Extremely high security & high dependability are more important than
transmission time for Direct transfer tripping.
In short the direct commands are more secure whereas Permissive commands are
more dependable in nature.
Page 22 of 30
Utilization of PLCC panels (3 Prot.+ 2 Sp.)
Main I Main II Direct Trip Sp Dialing Sp Express
ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41
A B A B C
M II Parallel
v
M I Parallel
M I Own M II Own Direct trip Own
Modified Utilization ( 2 Prot. + 2/1 Sp. )

Channel I Channel II Speech Dialing Speech Express
ssss
ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41
A B C A B C
M I Parallel
v
M II Parallel
v
M I Own Direct trip Parallel
v
M II Own Direct trip Own
OR
Channel I Channel II Speech Dialing/Express
ssss
ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 42 Twin Channel Panel
A B C A B C
M I Parallel
v
M II Parallel
v
Direct trip Parallel
M I Own v
M II Own
Direct trip Own
Page 23 of 30
Basic version (1 G4AA + 1G4AC) & Full version (1 G4AA + 2 G4AC)
Protection Coupler ABB Make NSD 50
DSP Card Relay Interface 1 Relay Interface 2

G4AC G4AC
G4AA
DSP
Opto coupler Opto coupler
Alarm Contact
Solid state C Solid state C
Opto coupler Opto coupler

Alarm Contact
Solid state C Solid state C
Slot no. 10 Slot no. 15 Slot no. 21
Interconnections of Protection coupler & Distance Relay
Relay Panel Protection coupler
Distance RP K102
Relay 21
Opto coupler
Trip Send Contact in RP RP K877
85X
RP K173
Carrier Receive Relay in RP
RP K169 Solid state

30X Contact
Carrier Healthy relay in RP RP K161
Alarm Contact
RP K169
Page 24 of 30
Own Commands
ABB ABB MI
MI ETL 41 ETL 41
With With
NSD 50 NSD 50 M II
M II 4 4
comd. comd.
96/92 92/96
DT
DT U KHz U KHz
Own & Parallel commands
MI ETL 41 ETL 41 MI
84/80 80/84
M II KHz KHz M II
with with
NSD NSD
DT 50 DT
50
ETL 41 ETL 41
96/92 92/96
KHz KHz
with with
NSD NSD
50 50
Page 25 of 30
BPL Protection Coupler DC 42
The DC 42 series Digital Protection coupler can be directly inserted into the BPL
Make 9505 V3 Power line carrier equipment.
Principle of operation
Under normal conditions i.e. when there is no fault in the line, two guard
frequencies G1 & G2 will be continuously transmitted through the PLC channel for
monitoring the healthiness of the equipment.
When there is a fault, the guard signals will be cut & corresponding trip
signals will be transmitted in the speech band.
Speech & any other Data transmission are interrupted while the Trip signals
are being transmitted.
Operating Frequencies
Guard 1- 2146 Hz
Guard 2 – 2341 Hz
Trip F1- 1171 Hz

Trip F2 – 1366 Hz
Trip F3 – 1561 Hz
Trip F4 – 1756 Hz
Trip F5 – 1951 Hz
Loop Test Frequency – 3902 Hz
Block Diagram of DC 42
Page 26 of 30
Data / Telemetering
PLCC terminals can be used for sending / receiving data signals for
Telemetering, etc.
The input signal for this channel will be between 2000 to 4000 HZ.
VFT – MODEM will be connected with PLCC for this purpose along with RTU.
The NSK 5 is a new, fully programmable frequency shift keying (FSK) modem
for data transmission over PLC links.
Speed of the data transmission starts from 50 Baud (Available 50.100, 200,
.300, 600, 1200 & 2400 Baud)
Generally 300 or 600 Baud rate is used over PLCC.
In case of more Baud rate is required Full AF Band of PLCC to be used.
Output & Input of NSK 5 to be interfaced with data Input & Output section of
PLCC.
Page 27 of 30
Programming with NSK 5
Switch S1 – 1,2,3 for baud rate setting & 4 to 8 for Tx frequency setting
Switch S2 - 1,2,3 for Rx sensitivity setting & 4 to8 for Rx frequency setting
CA.CB,CC,CD,CE,CF – Transmit level setting
AH/AF, AB/AA – Jumper setting for Transmitter & Receiver termination impedance
Page 28 of 30
Advantages of PLCC
1. No separate wires are needed for communication purpose.
2. Both communication and power transfer can be possible on same circuit.
3. A power line provides the shortest route between the power stations.
4. Higher mechanical strength.
5. Increased reliability.
6. Lower attenuation over long distance.
7. Implementation cost is reduced.
Disadvantages of PLCC
1. Limited bandwidth of 4 KHz.
2. Low speed of data transfer (typical 1200 baud, transfer of file comprising
of graphics size of 1 MB takes minutes)
3. Needs separate battery /battery chargers for reliable DC supply.
4. High voltage lines have transformer connections, which attenuate carrier

currents.
5. Noise introduced by power lines is far more than in case of telephone lines.
Proven availability and overall economy of the channel makes

PLCC the preferred telecommunication medium of many power
authorities.
Page 29 of 30
Odd Man Out –Padghe Batch 5 (26/3/2013)
Circle the odd word from each set of words given below:
1. Pilot, Dial, Carrier , Guard
2. Audio frequency, Intermediate Frequency, Video Frequency, High frequency
3. Wave trap, CVT, LMU, PLCT
4. Main Coil, Tuning Pot, LA, Earth switch
5. Coupling Capacitor, PLCT, 48 V Battery charger, EPAX
6. Earth switch, LA, Main Coil, Drain Coil
7. Line tuner, Coupling Capacitor, LMU, Coupling device
8. Tripping voltage, Speech, Data, Protection
9. Protection Coupler, Data Modem, Distance relay, EPAX
10. Phase to Ground, Phase to Phase, Modal analysis, Inter circuit
Page 30 of 30

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INDUCTION LEVEL TRAINING BATCH 5 AT RTC MSETCL PADGHE

Power Line Carrier

Compiled by Sunildatta V Kulkarni DyEE PLCC MSETCL Pune

1. A user end instrument that is used to transmit &

2. Voice frequency is audio range used for transmission of

3. Telephone bandwidth for a single voice frequency

PLCC Numbering Scheme

PLCC Numbering scheme is OPEN numbering scheme.

The dialing is transparent to the subscriber.

Network Access code + Reachable ID + Subscriber no.

Fig Power line Carrier Terminal

The RF range in PLCC system is 50 KHz to 500 KHz.

(Make, Type, SC/TC & Tx Rx Fr.) (Make, Type,SC/TC & Tx Rx Fr.)

1. PLCC freq band from 50 KHz to 500 KHz

2. Telephone frequency from 300 Hz to 3400 Hz

3. Pilot frequency 3.75 KHz (ABB PLCT)

4. Dial Frequency 3.81 KHz (ABB PLCT)

5. Guard Frequency = Pilot frequency 3.75 KHz (ABB PLCT)

6. Protection (Trip) Frequency 872 Hz (ABB NSD 50 Command A)

7. Data Frequency band 2 to 4 KHz

3. LA (Protective device) protects against high voltage Surges caused by atmospheric

Schematic diagram of line trap

Fig tuning pot

The main purpose of coupling Capacitor is twofold.

1. Protection of PLCC terminals from Extra High voltage.

2. Passing the HF signal with minimum attenuation.

3. Label the parts of Coupling Capacitor given below.

CVT consists of Coupling capacitor & voltage Transformer.

Voltage Transformer for monitoring or control

& Coupling Capacitor for carrier communication.

2. Matching Transformer ( MT) performs the function of Impedance matching and

Three elements Protection device

1. Drain Coil for draining of power frequency currents to earth.

2. LA for transients protection at the primary terminals of coupling device.

3. Earthing switch for direct and efficient earthing of primary

Introduce excessive leakage to ground with former case & excessive

Capacitance with the latter.

The connection between the CC & LMU is high impedance

Coaxial cable is a two conductor cable made of a single conductor surrounded by a

The characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable is either 75 or 125 Ohms.

Characteristic Impedance( Z0 ) of a transmission line is defined as the ratio of the

Characteristic impedance of line, Z 0 = 276 log D/r

Where D-Distance between Conductors, r- Radius of Conductor

Characteristic Impedance is also known as Surge Impedance, due to the temporarily

Find the mistakes in this picture

1. Make, Type & Frequency of PLCT.

The phase conductor currents or voltages can be resolved into 3 sets of

Each mode has its own characteristics.

1. Center to Outer Push Pull coupling

2. Centre Phase to Ground Coupling

3. Outer to Outer Push Push coupling

4. Outer Phase to Ground Coupling

Fig Conventional Protection System

Fig Trip Logic

Fig Carrier aided protection

Fig Trip Logic for Carrier aided Protection

Block diagram of Protection Coupler

Command C 654 Hz / 1526 Hz

A & B Permissive Trip/ Uncoded Commands

The performance of a protection coupler is assessed by means of three criteria.

• The Transmission time

Command Prolongation (Trip Extension) time- 20ms

Direct Transfer tripping