Are transfer trip signals sent via power line carrier limited in their capability?

Transfer trip signals sent via power line carrier technology are indeed limited in their capability. This limitation arises mainly due to the nature of power line communication, which can be impacted by various factors such as signal attenuation and noise on the power lines.

Power line carrier communication uses high-frequency signals superimposed on the power lines, and the effective transmission can be influenced by the load on the line, the physical condition of the line, and electromagnetic interference from other sources. Furthermore, the range and reliability of the signal can decrease significantly under different operating conditions, especially if the lines are heavily loaded or if there are distortions caused by electrical noise.

These limitations mean that while transfer trip signals can serve their purpose in protecting power system assets by allowing protective relays to communicate and trip a circuit breaker at a receiving station, their reliability may be compromised under certain conditions. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of the communication medium in system operator training and operations.