PLCnät

PLCnät is the Swedish term for networks that use existing electrical power lines to transmit data. By modulating signals onto the power distribution network, PLCnät enables communication between devices such as smart meters, home automation controllers, and networked appliances without installing new cabling. Networks can operate inside a single building (in-home PLC) or across distribution lines (smart-grid PLC).

PLCnät relies on various modulation techniques and standards. Narrowband PLC provides low data rates suited for control and metering; broadband PLC supports higher speeds for multimedia and internet access. Widely used standards include G3-PLC for smart grid applications, ITU-T G.hn for unified networking over power, and IEEE 1901 for high-speed in homes. Signals face electrical noise, impedance changes, and variable line conditions, requiring robust coding and network management; security typically relies on encryption at higher layers.

Applications include extending home networks beyond Wi‑Fi, enabling smart metering, grid automation, and industrial process monitoring over existing power lines. PLCnät complements wireless and wired technologies by leveraging the ubiquity of electrical wiring.

Advantages include reduced installation costs and wide reach within buildings and distribution networks. Challenges encompass signal attenuation, interference with radio services, regulatory emission limits, and security concerns, which drive the adoption of encryption, authentication, and device certification.