Improve the performance and reliability of your PLC Communications
Smart Gap is an advanced fast clearing protection device designed to improve the performance and reliability of Power Line Carrier communication systems used in electric power generation and utility applications. By rapidly mitigating surge‑induced disturbances, the Smart Gap minimizes carrier signal interruptions commonly referred to as carrier holes.
In PLC systems, surges on high‑voltage power lines can disrupt communication channels leading to degraded protection and control performance. The Smart Gap clears surge events in less than 0.5 milliseconds significantly reducing the duration and impact of carrier signal loss. By improving communication robustness, Smart Gap supports safer and more dependable power system operation.
PREVENTING CARRIER HOLES:
Surge events on transmission lines can create temporary losses of carrier signal known as carrier holes. These interruptions can cause mis‑operations in protective relay systems such as:
- Over‑trips in directional comparison blocking DCB systems
- Delayed trips in permissive overreaching transfer trip POTT systems
- Delayed trips in direct transfer trip DTT systems
- False permission to trip in directional comparison unblocking DCUB systems
The maintenance free Smart Gap prevents these outcomes by extinguishing surge events faster than traditional spark gap devices, reducing communication disruption and maintaining PLC channel availability when it matters most.
RETROFITTING:
The Smart Gap is compact and designed to retrofit directly into existing installations including:
- Line tuners
- CCVTs
- Existing spark gap installs
This allows utilities to upgrade protection performance without major system modifications or downtime.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
- Fast clearing response less than 0.5 msec
- Significantly reduces carrier holes in PLC communication channels
- Direct retrofit replacement for existing spark gap solutions
- Improves Power Line Carrier communication reliability
- Robust, maintenance‑free design for long service life