Mains communication-a practical metering system

A practical mains communication system that works on typical LV mains networks has been the goal of the metering industry for a considerable number of years. The author describes such a system, starting with a review of the requirements of a modern metering system, both from the electricity company´s and the consumers´ points of view. The author examines the problems of mains communication compared to other potential communications media and shows how a narrow band, phase modulated, coherent carrier system can overcome these problems and be implemented cost effectively using modern CMOS ASICs (applications specific integrated circuits). The author shows how this communications technology is used to build a practical integrated metering system offering a full range of metering services. The results of field trials carried out using the systems are presented