Overview
IEC 62488-2:2017 specifies requirements for Analogue Power Line Carrier (APLC) terminals and systems used to transmit information over power lines in power utility networks (EHV/HV/MV). The standard addresses AM‑SSB (Amplitude Modulation Single Sideband) APLC equipment handling baseband signals with nominal bandwidths of 4 kHz and 2.5 kHz (or integer multiples for single and multi‑channel terminals). This edition integrates the corrigenda of January 2020 and March 2023.
Key topics and requirements
- Modulation & channeling
- Use of AM‑SSB modulation and channel bandwidth planning for single and multi‑channel APLC terminals (see informative Annex B).
- Low‑frequency interfaces
- Analog voice/telephony interfaces, teleprotection interfaces, narrowband telegraphic channels, and digital signaling interfaces.
- High‑frequency transmission
- Definition of APLC high‑frequency bands, frequency accuracy, nominal impedance, tapping loss, return loss and degree of unbalance to earth.
- Performance metrics
- Tests and limits for internally generated noise, automatic gain control, limiter action, attenuation and group‑delay distortion, harmonic distortion, selectivity and crosstalk attenuation.
- Testing procedures
- Test setups for link verification, return loss, tapping loss, spurious emissions and selectivity; normative and informative test methods.
- EMC & immunity
- Emission and immunity requirements, radiated/conducted emissions, low‑frequency disturbance emissions and immunity test lists.
- Safety, environmental & mechanical
- Classification of APLC terminals, ingress protection, type/routine tests, storage/transport and operating conditions, power supply requirements.
- Configuration & management
- Device configuration, network management interfaces and local alarms.
- Cybersecurity
- High‑level requirements (authentication and system protection) to safeguard APLC terminal operation.
- Supporting material
- Annex A on compandor characteristics for telephony, Annexs B and C on communication model and HF modulated power signals.
Applications and users
Who benefits from IEC 62488-2:
- Power utility engineers planning or operating power‑line communications for teleprotection, telecontrol, telephony and supervisory channels.
- APLC equipment manufacturers designing analogue carrier terminals to meet interoperability, EMC and safety requirements.
- System integrators and test laboratories validating performance, emission and immunity compliance.
- Regulators and procurement teams specifying technical acceptance criteria for EHV/HV/MV utility links.
Practical uses include secure teleprotection signaling, voice trunking (PBX interconnection), low‑rate telemetry and legacy analogue carrier modernization.
Related standards
- Refer to other parts of IEC 62488 for digital PLM systems and to applicable EMC, safety and telecommunication interface standards cited in IEC 62488-2 for full compliance and interoperability.