Method and apparatus for attaching power line communications to customer premises

• US 20050046550A1
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telkonet Communications, Inc. (Comstock Coal Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Telkonet Communications, Inc. (Comstock Coal Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Crenshaw, Ralph E., Grimes, David W., Pozsgay, Andrew, Larson, L. Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,091,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/258
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5433 Remote metering
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5466 using three phases conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/56 Circuits for coupling, blocking, or by-passing of signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying a power distribution network in a building in order to provide data communication by using a Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal to an approximate electrical central location point of a power distribution system remote from the data entry point of the building. A passive coupler device is attached to a centrally located service panel. The passive coupler receives the Power Line Carrier (PLC) signal from the remote entry point in the building and conditions the signal for entry at the service panel onto each phase of the power distribution network.

Claims

1. A device for interfacing a communication signal with an electrical power network in a building having at least one service panel, the device eliminating the need of separate fusing and cut-off mechanisms and providing enhanced integration and economy, the device comprising:

a coupling device containing at least one capacitor or at least one inductive component, the coupling device configured to couple a modulated communication signal to a power-line network; and

one or more resettable breakers each configured to allow for manual disconnect and configured to provide over-current protection, the one or more resettable breakers each being electrically coupled to the coupling device and configured to be electrically coupled to the electrical power network.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the power network is a single-phase power system.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein only one single-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the power network is a three-phase Wye-configured power system.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein only one three-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one single-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein at least one multiple-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the power network is a three-phase Wye-configured power system.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein only one three-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one single-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one multiple-pole circuit-breaker is used to couple the coupling device to the power-line network.

12. A device for interfacing a communication signal with an electrical power network in a building having at least one service panel, the device eliminating the need of separate fusing and cut-off mechanisms and providing enhanced integration and economy, the device comprising:

a coupling device containing at least one capacitor or at least one inductive component, the coupling device configured to couple a modulated communication signal to a power-line network; and

an electrical breaking means coupled to the coupling device for providing manual disconnect and over-current protection.

13. A device for interfacing a communication signal with an electrical power network in a building having at least one service panel, the device eliminating the need of separate fusing and cut-off mechanisms and providing enhanced integration and economy, the device comprising:

a coupling means for coupling a modulated communication signal to a power-line network; and

an electrical breaking means coupled to the coupling means for providing manual disconnect and over-current protection.

14. A method for interfacing a communication signal with an electrical power network in a building having at least one service panel, the method eliminating the need of separate fusing and cut-off mechanisms and providing enhanced integration and economy, the method comprising:

providing communication coupling between a communication device and a power-line network via modulated communication signals and using a coupler located in a first box; and

providing a manual electrical cut-off capacity in the first box.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing an over-current protection capacity in the first box.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the manual electrical cut-off capacity and over-current protection capacity are provided by one or more resettable breakers.