General methodology of the in-field diagnostic and localization of noise source in G3-PLC network

This paper proposes a general methodology on the topic of diagnostic and localization of noise source within the area of one transformer station based on G3–PLC technology in the Cenelec–A band (36–91 kHz). Different noise types and noise sources common for Narrowband-Power Line Communication (NB–PLC) are described together with the character of the measured communication channel - the cable between the junction box and the transformer station. Description of various measurement and analysis approaches is included. Present noise was evaluated by the drop of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), by the measurement of data loss during the file transfer and by the spectral analysis of the power line with the spectrum analyzer and with the PLC analyzer. This article reveals a significant noise source that prevented the communication of hundreds of smart meters with the data concentrator (DC) located at the transformer station. The authors also propose a set of 4 mitigation solutions for this non-standard situation ordered by the time difficulty of implementation to this PLC network.