Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a magnetic core for placement about the power line, and a coil wound around a portion of the magnetic core. The coil includes a coaxial cable having a non-insulative outer layer coupled to a stress cone. The non-insulative outer layer is at an electrical potential about equal to that of the power line when the inductive coupler is installed on the power line.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) an electrically insulating, compressible material situated between the winding and the magnetic core, having a hardness of between about 10 and about 100 on a hardness type shore A durometer scale.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a data signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a split magnetic core having an aperture formed by an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core. The aperture permits the power line to pass therethrough as a primary winding, the upper magnetic core is for making electrical contact with an outer surface of the power line, and the lower magnetic core makes electrical contact with the upper magnetic core.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a data signal to a phase line of a power line. The inductive coupler includes a split magnetic core having an aperture formed by an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core. The aperture permits the phase line to pass therethrough as a primary winding, the upper magnetic core is for making electrical contact with an outer surface of the phase line, and the lower magnetic core makes electrical contact with the upper magnetic core.

Abstract: There is provided a system including (a) a first inductive coupler for coupling a data signal between a port of the first inductive coupler and a first subset of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors, and (b) a second inductive coupler for coupling the data signal between a port of the second inductive coupler and a second subset of the plurality of conductors. There are also provided methods for arranging such a system.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of inductive couplers. The arrangement includes a first inductive coupler on a conductor, and a second inductive coupler on the conductor. The first inductive coupler has a first winding for a data signal, and the second inductive coupler has a second winding for the data signal. The arrangement also includes a connection module that connects the first winding to the second winding.

Abstract: There is provided a method for protecting loads associated with power distribution system inductive signal couplers. The method includes (a) providing an inductive signal coupler having a first winding in series with a line conductor of a power distribution system, and a second winding having first and second connection terminals, (b) connecting a first terminal of a first fuse to the first connection terminal, and a first terminal of a second fuse to the second connection terminal, a second terminal of each fuse being connected to a communication device, and (c) connecting a first terminal of a first choke to the second terminal of the first fuse, and a first terminal of a second choke to the second of the second fuse, a second terminal of each choke being connected to an electrical ground.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, and (c) an electrically insulating material situated between the winding and the magnetic core, having a hardness in a Hardness Type Shore A Durometer reading of degrees ranging from about 10 to about 100.

Abstract: There is provided a system that includes an AC power input port for connection to an AC power line, an AC power output port for providing power from the AC power line, an AC power surge suppression circuit for limiting voltage at the AC power output port, a data port, a capacitive data coupler for coupling a data signal between the AC power input port and the data port, and a data port surge suppression circuit for limiting voltage at the data port.

Abstract: There is provided a method for protecting loads associated with power distribution system inductive signal couplers. The method includes (a) providing an inductive signal coupler having a first winding in series with a line conductor of a power distribution system, a second winding having a terminal, and a magnetic core for coupling a signal between the first winding and the second winding, (b) situating a layer of electrical insulation between the second winding and the magnetic core, and (c) connecting the terminal to an electrical ground so that a voltage between the magnetic core and the electrical ground is placed across the layer of electrical insulation. There is also provided an inductive signal coupler having (a) a winding in series with a line conductor of a power distribution system, and (b) a conductive plate at an end of the coupler distal from the first winding, for routing a flashover current to an electrical ground.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a magnetic core for placement about the power line, a coil wound around a portion of the magnetic core, and a semiconducting coating that encapsulates the core and contacts the power line. The signal is coupled to the coil.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a conductor. The inductive coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having an aperture through which the conductor is routed, (b) a winding wound around a portion of the magnetic core, where the signal is coupled between the winding and the conductor via the magnetic core, (c) an electrically insulating material situated between the winding and the magnetic core, and (d) a compressible material situated between the magnetic core and the electrically insulating material. The compressible material has a hardness that is less than that of the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive power line data coupler. The coupler includes (a) a magnetic core having a high magnetic permeability at a data communication frequency and being configured to allow a power line of a power distribution system to be routed through the magnetic core to serve as a primary winding, (b) a data signaling circuit that provides a secondary winding through the magnetic core for coupling a data signal between the power line and a communication device, and (c) a choke coil coupled to the data signaling circuit for creating a flux-canceling power frequency current opposite in direction and comparable in magnitude to a power frequency current. The coupler may also include a circuit for sensing a level of current in the power line.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a data signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a split magnetic core having an aperture formed by an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core. The aperture permits the power line to pass therethrough as a primary winding, the upper magnetic core is for making electrical contact with an outer surface of the power line, and the lower magnetic core makes electrical contact with the upper magnetic core.

Abstract: There is provided a method for blocking a portion of energy of a signal in a power line. The method includes equipping a high frequency magnetic core with a coil, connecting a capacitor across terminals of the coil to create a resonant circuit that resonates at a frequency of the signal, and placing the magnetic core around the power line, at a location where the blocking is desired.

Abstract: There is provided an inductive coupler for coupling a signal to a power line. The inductive coupler includes a magnetic core for placement about the power line, and a coil wound around a portion of the magnetic core. The coil includes a coaxial cable having a non-insulative outer layer coupled to a stress cone. The non-insulative outer layer is at an electrical potential about equal to that of the power line when the inductive coupler is installed on the power line.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of components for use in a power line communication system. The arrangement includes (a) an inductive coupler having a core with an aperture through which a coaxial power cable is routed, where the coaxial power cable has a center conductor and an outer conductor; and (b) a lead being routed through the aperture, where the lead connects the outer conductor to a termination.

Abstract: There is provided a coupler for a data signal. The coupler includes a core through which a phase conductor of a power distribution system can be routed, and a winding wound around a portion of the core. The data signal is inductively coupled between the phase conductor and the winding via the core.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement of inductive couplers. The arrangement includes a first inductive coupler on a conductor, and a second inductive coupler on the conductor. The first inductive coupler has a first winding for a data signal, and the second inductive coupler has a second winding for the data signal. The arrangement also includes a connection module that connects the first winding to the second winding.

Abstract: There is provided a system including (a) a first inductive coupler for coupling a data signal between a port of the first inductive coupler and a first subset of a plurality of electrically parallel conductors, and (b) a second inductive coupler for coupling the data signal between a port of the second inductive coupler and a second subset of the plurality of conductors. There are also provided methods for arranging such a system.