On the measurement of the conducted emissions in-home access in PLC communication technologies

Basic concepts and definitions to clarify some of the most typical aspects in the EMC testing in PLC communication systems are presented in this paper. From the point of view of the EMC, when a high-frequency signal is injected in the electric network, the electric power cables behave as an antenna, generating electromagnetic emissions in the environment. These emissions are interference sources and pollute the environment, for this reason levels should not exceed certain limits without perturbing its functionality and other neighbour systems. Some results of the measured emissions in-home PLC system are shown; they are compared with the safety levels shown in the standard CISPR 22. The measurements were made in the laboratory, simulating the conditions of the in-home access network and the impedance line was stabilized in order to guaranty reliabilityin results.