Control using power lines-a European view

Power line carrier systems, which have found applications in the USA as control data and information data networks, have also become very popular in Europe as an alternative control network for use in building, home and industrial automation applications. Several communication techniques have been developed in Europe which differ from the ones in the USA, mainly because of differing power line regulations. The article describes power line regulations, signalling techniques and problems with mains communication in Europe, and reviews commercially available power line transceivers and chip sets.