Communications: electrical – Systems – Selsyn type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-10
2001-10-02
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Systems
Selsyn type
C307S003000, C340S315000, C340S638000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297730
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a signal connection device for a power line telecommunication system.
Various published patent applications of the present applicant disclose systems whereby a telecommunication signal can be conveyed into a consumer's premises carried on a supply cable for mains electricity. Once inside the premises, a connection must be made to the supply cable to enable extraction of the telecommunication signal from the supply cable. A connection between a trunk data network and an electrical supply cable must also be made at some point, for example within a substation,
There are clear advantages in minimizing the amount of work which must be carried out on mains conductors during installation of a power line telecommunication system in a consumer's premises or at a substation. To ensure safety, any such work can be carried out only by a suitably qualified person, and this requirement adds to the cost of the installation. It is also clearly desirable that the level of disruption caused by installation of a power line telecommunication system is minimized, most preferably to the extent that the supply of mains electricity to the premises need not be interrupted.
The present invention, in a first of its aspects, provides a signal connection device for making a communication signal connection to a mains electricity supply, the device being suitable for connection to the mains supply at a power fuse of the mains supply.
In most installations, power fuses are readily accessible for purposes of maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, in most cases, a power fuse is specifically designed such that it can be accessed by non-experts. Therefore, a power fuse can provide a readily accessible location for making a data connection into the mains supply line.
Conveniently, a signal connection device embodying the invention can be releasably secured to a fuse holder. In such embodiments, the signal connection device may include a conductor which makes a connection with a cartridge power fuse within the fuse holder.
In most embodiments, the signal connection device has a signal path interconnecting the mains supply and the communication signal connection, which signal path includes a filter which presents a low impedance to communication signals and a high impedance to mains electricity. Most typically, such a connection device includes a signal fuse in the signal path. In such embodiments, the signal fuse may make direct contact with the power fuse.
In embodiments as set forth in the last-preceding paragraph, the filter will typically include one or more series capacitors. In order to avoid any risk that the signal connection could become live with mains electricity in the event of such capacitors failing in a short-circuit mode, there is typically provided in such a signal connection device a conductive path of low impedance to mains electricity between the signal connection and earth. This conductive path allows a current to flow in the event of such a failure, so as to cause the signal fuse to blow.
In a typical embodiment, a signal connection device has a mechanical connector by means of which it may be connected to a power fuse holder.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a signal connection installation comprising a signal connection device according to the first aspect of the invention connected to a power fuse holder.
In such a signal connection installation, the power fuse holder holds a power fuse which carries a supply of mains electricity, and a conductive component of the signal connection device makes electrical contact with a conductive component of the power fuse.
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Draft Standard, “Signalling on Low-Voltage Electrical Installations in the Frequency Band 3kHz to 148.5kHz, Part 4: Filters at the Interface of the Indoor and Outdoor Electricity Network,” EN50 065-4, Apr. 1992, p. 1-11.
Lokken et al., “The Proposed Wisconsin Electric Power Company Load Mangement System Using Power Line Carrier Over Distribution Lines,” 1976 Nat. Telecomm. Conf. Dallas, USA Nov. '76 (IEEE), p. 2.2-1-2.2-3.
Russell, “Communication Alternatives for Distribution Metering and Load Management,” IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, vol. PAS-99, No. 4, Jul./Aug. 1980, p. 1448-1455.
Barstow, “A Carrier Telephone System for Rural Service,” AIEE Transactions, vol. 66, 1947, p. 501-507.
Howrey Simon Arnold & White , LLP
Nor.Web DPL Limited
Swarthout Brent A.
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