Power line carrier interference caused by DC electric arc furnaces

Abstract

Alabama Power Company has experienced problems with power line carrier equipment used on high voltage transmission systems resulting from the operation of DC electric arc furnaces. Problems experienced include tuning equipment and communication equipment failures, as well as false signal reception and signal interference. This paper describes the nature and causes of the problems, and discusses results from field measurements and computer simulations of power line carrier equipment. Also, some analytical methods/tools for understanding the problems are presented, along with a fairly simple solution to the problems.