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Coupling of communications signals to a power line

  • US 7,778,514 B2
  • Filed: 07/22/2008
  • Issued: 08/17/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for coupling communications signals to a medium-voltage power line, the system comprising:

  • a metal oxide varistor electrically coupled to a medium-voltage power line;

    a disconnect device electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor, the disconnect device comprising a resistor and an air gap, the disconnect device having a resistance of at least one thousand ohms and a capacitance between one picofarad and twelve picofarads;

    a conductor electrically coupling the disconnect device to a ground without the use of ferrites;

    a communications device comprising at least one modem; and

    a coupler electrically coupling the communications device to the metal oxide varistor, the coupler electrically coupled in parallel with the disconnect device and comprising an impedance transformer and a capacitor;

    wherein the disconnect device is configured such that it does not affect the characteristic impedance of the impedance transformer.

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