Editing Power-line communication (section)

{{Short description|Data network that uses electrical wiring}}
{{for|other schemes to deliver data and power over one cable|Power over}}
[[File:PLC使用風景.jpg|thumb|Power line adapter]]

'''Power-line communication''' ('''PLC''') is the carrying of data on a conductor (the ''power-line carrier'') that is also used simultaneously for AC [[electric power transmission]] or [[electric power distribution]] to consumers.

A wide range of power-line communication technologies are needed for different applications, ranging from [[home automation]] to [[Internet access]], which is often called [[broadband over power lines]] (BPL). Most PLC technologies limit themselves to one type of wires (such as premises wiring within a single building), but some can cross between two levels (for example, both the distribution network and premises wiring). Typically transformers prevent propagating the signal, which requires multiple technologies to form very large networks. Various data rates and frequencies are used in different situations.

A number of difficult technical problems are common between [[wireless]] and power-line communication, notably those of [[spread spectrum]] radio signals operating in a crowded environment. Radio interference, for example, has long been a concern of [[amateur radio]] groups.<ref name="notch">{{Cite news |title= ARRL Strengthens the Case for Mandatory BPL Notching |url= http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-strengthens-the-case-for-mandatory-bpl-notching |date= 2 December 2010 |work= News release |publisher= [[American Amateur Radio League]] |access-date= 24 November 2011 }}</ref>