Modeling of high power busbar systems for power line communications

This paper reports on the communication possibilities of high power busbar systems as a part of smart grid concept. A compact structure busbar system (3 m length) is modelled physically and carried out by an EM analysis simulation tool based on methods of moments. Scattering parameters of the busbar system are obtained for three different port connections: L1-Neutral, L2-Neutral and L3-Neutral. All simulation studies are conducted at three power line communication (PLC) frequency bands: CENELEC, FCC and Broadband. The results are presented in graphical form. The forward gain |S21| lies in the range (-0.00014) - (-0.004) dB, (- 0.0016) - (-0.03 dB), and (-0.04) - (-7.3) dB for CENELEC, FCC and Broadband, respectively. The phase and amplitude characteristics of the busbar system have a linear distribution at narrowband. However, there is a discontinuity at the resonance frequency for broadband. It causes not only the capacitive effect but also inductive effect on the system.