International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc.

International Broadband Communications, Inc.

Brent R Zitting

Charles William Daley

Thomas R Parker, Iii

William D Hudson

In one embodiment, a system for coupling communications signals to an underground medium-voltage power line includes a medium-voltage power line, a ground conductor, one or more ferrites, and a low-voltage communications line. The medium-voltage power line includes a center phase conductor and a concentric neutral conductor. The ground conductor couples the concentric neutral conductor to a ground connection. The one or more ferrites substantially surround at least a portion of the ground conductor. The low-voltage communications line includes a first conductor and a second conductor. The first conductor is coupled to the ground conductor between the one or more ferrites and the concentric neutral conductor. And the second conductor is coupled to the ground conductor between the one or more ferrites and the ground connection.

Coupling communications signals to underground power lines

In one embodiment, a device for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a first connector, a second connector and one or more components. The first connector is adapted to couple to a low-voltage communications line. The second connector is adapted to couple to a surge arrester. The one or more components are operable to substantially match the impedances between the surge arrester and the low-voltage communications line.

Coupling of communications signals to a power line

In one embodiment, a system for coupling communications signals onto a medium-voltage power line includes a metal oxide varistor, a disconnect device and a capacitor. The metal oxide varistor is electrically coupled to the medium voltage power line. The disconnect device includes a resistor in parallel with an air gap and is electrically coupled in series between the metal oxide varistor and a communications device. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the metal oxide varistor and the communications device in parallel with the disconnect device.

In one embodiment, a device for enabling communications signals over a medium voltage power line includes a first modem, a second modem, a third modem, and one or more switches. The first modem is electrically coupled to a medium voltage power line and is adapted to receive communications signals from the medium voltage power line. The second modem is electrically coupled to the medium voltage power line and is adapted to transmit communications signals to the medium voltage power line. The third modem is electrically coupled to a low voltage power line and is adapted to transmit communications signals to the low voltage power line. The one or more switches are coupled to the first modem, the second modem, and the third modem, and they are operable to transfer communications signals between two or more of the first modem, the second modem, and the third modem.

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Huntsville, AL, United States of America

Brent R Zitting