PLC Networking

Telkonet’s proprietary, patented powerline communications (PLC) products harness a building’s internal electrical wiring to form an IP network, turning power outlets into data ports, while leaving the electrical functionality unaffected. Telkonet’s PLC systems – the Telkonet iWire System and the 200 Mbps Telkonet Series 5 – represent a quick, economical, and non-disruptive way to achieve high-speed Internet connectivity throughout a building. Telkonet’s PLC systems offer the hard-wired security and reliability of a CAT-5 cabled network, but without the cost, physical disturbance and business disruption of wiring CAT-5. For properties looking to provide wireless coverage, Telkonet’s systems can be used to feed WiFi access points, which can be connected quickly and simply to any power outlet.



Series 5 Comparison “With 209 sites and limited numbers of IT technicians, we needed a reliable, plug-and-play system that was easy to install, maintain and operate. With Telkonet’s solution, we demonstrated that our own IT staff and contract electricians could install the system…”
Steve Custer, Supervisor CCTV/LAN Networking and A.V. Repair, Hillsborough County School District (SDHC)

Telkonet iWire System

The Telkonet iWire System is a robust networking platform that protects your investment by providing for today’s technologies and expanding for future technologies and applications, with many key benefits.

        Low cost – Significantly less expensive than rewiring a building
        Quick installation – Completed from hours to days, without construction or disruption
        Secure – Data is encrypted and secure from outside intrusion
        Hybrid – Delivers wired, wireless or a hybrid solution
        Reliable – Patented PLC technology for continuous network connectivity
        Scalable – Add users by adding more Telkonet iBridge units
        Convenient – Network access at every electrical outlet in every room
        Flexible – Supports any device or application using Internet Protocol
        Robust – Remote monitoring and management
        Compliant – FCC Part 15, UL60950 Listed, and CE approval
        Plug-and-play – Easy to connect to the Internet without drivers or software

Applications supported by Telkonet’s PLC system include, but are not limited to: HSIA, local area networking, VoIP phones, video conferencing, closed circuit security surveillance, digital signage, substation monitoring and a host of other information services.

The Telkonet iWire System is used by a wide variety of customers, including:

  • Trump properties in New York City
  • The historic ocean liner The Queen Mary
  • Hillsborough County School District, Tampa, Florida
  • The U.S. Department of Defense
  • WorldMark by Wyndham
  • Sandman Hotels, Inns & Suites
  • Best Western GB
  • Vacation Resorts International
  • America’s Best Value Inns

PLC Product Components

Telkonet’s systems comprise a set of compact building blocks – the Telkonet Gateway, which connects via a router to the site’s external broadband feed, and a Telkonet Coupler that interfaces with a building’s electrical distribution panel. A further unit, the Telkonet eXtender™, can be connected to the Telkonet Coupler to provide additional reach for multi-building sites. To access the Internet, a user simply connects their laptop into a Telkonet iBridge unit.

Telkonet Gateway™ The "brain" of the system, the Telkonet Gateway converts IP connections to a PLC signal and distributes PLC to the Telkonet Coupler. Through a web or CLI interface, the Telkonet Gateway allows management and configuration of the other Telkonet components. Each Telkonet Gateway supports up to 63 Telkonet eXtenders, 1,023 Telkonet iBridges (users) and up to 4,096 Ethernet endpoints.

Telkonet Couplers The Telkonet Coupler takes the PLC signal from the Telkonet Gateway or Telkonet eXtender and injects that signal into the in-building electrical wiring. Installation of the Telkonet Coupler requires a licensed electrician to meet National Electric Code (NEC) and local electric code standards. Also comes in a model with integrated disconnect switch.

Telkonet eXtender™ The Telkonet eXtender provides additional reach and scalability for networks that cannot be properly covered by a single Telkonet Gateway or multi-building environments. It can be used with wireless radio or wireline networks.

Telkonet iBridge™ The Telkonet iBridge enables a user to connect a computer or IP device to the PLC network. It contains a "test" function to determine the PLC signal strength and has an RJ45 user port connection.


Telkonet Series 5

Setting unprecedented performance levels for security, speed, QoS and capacity, the Telkonet Series 5 200 Mbps system takes PLC to a new level as a viable networking option for high performance, critical applications, including digital video surveillance, implementations in the utility substation environment, and harsh outdoor commercial installations. Telkonet Series 5 delivers a range of significant performance advances, including the following.

  • Secure transmission – Incorporates hardware-based 128-bit AES encryption that meets stringent commercial requirements and provides industrial users with a highly secure remote management solution
  • Incorporates additional optional physical access ports – Including both RS232 and RS485 to enable a wide range of different devices to be networked, such as non Ethernet-enabled monitoring and metering devices used in electric utility substations
  • Optional support for both DC and AC applications – Meets environmental standards for both AC and DC operating environments for utility substations and the utility marketplace
  • Withstands extended temperature ranges – Enables monitoring and control in tough, outdoor industrial environments
  • Enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) – Handles up to 8 different communication levels, across high-speed data, Voice over IP (VoIP) and surveillance, with rate-limited bandwidth management per application
  • Integrated energy management – Incorporates an optional ZigBee adapter for the initial integration of Networked Telkonet SmartEnergy, combining Ethernet connectivity with wireless-based monitoring and management

Series 5 Comparison Matrix

PLC Product Components

Telkonet’s systems comprise a set of compact building blocks – the Telkonet Gateway, which connects via a router to the site’s external broadband feed, and a Telkonet Coupler that interfaces with a building’s electrical distribution panel. A further unit, the Telkonet eXtender™, can be connected to the Telkonet Coupler to provide additional reach for multi-building sites. To access the Internet, a user simply connects their laptop into a Telkonet iBridge unit.

Telkonet Gateway™ – AG5 The Telkonet Gateway is a remotely manageable network interface that converts Ethernet connections to a power line carrier signal and transmits the signal to the Telkonet Coupler. The Telkonet Gateway allows management and configuration of the Telkonet Series 5 via a web browser or Telnet command line interface.

Telkonet Couplers – MVC-200 and DPC-200 The Telkonet Coupler is wired to the AC or DC low-voltage bus and connected to the Telkonet Gateway with a coaxial cable. The Telkonet Coupler takes the power line carrier signal from the Telkonet Gateway or Telkonet eXtender and injects the signal into the AC or DC electrical wiring. The Telkonet Coupler is also available with an integrated disconnect switch (coupler breaker).

Telkonet eXtender™ – AX5 The Telkonet eXtender provides additional power line carrier signal reach and scalability for networks that cannot be covered by a single Telkonet Gateway.

Telkonet iBridge™ – AB5 The Telkonet iBridge is wired to the AC or DC supply at each point requiring a communications interface. The Telkonet iBridge recovers the power line carrier signal and converts it back into an Ethernet or serial connection for the devices or applications. It contains a test function to determine the power line carrier signal strength.

  

Week in Review: What's Hot in Smart Grids
Can you curb energy use in your hotel even if you leave your TV turned on all day? Learn more

New Load Balancing and Bandwidth Aggregation Gateway for Limited Service Hotels
Looking for an affordable Dual WAN gateway for your smaller hotel property? Read more

Green Trends in 2010
Green alternatives that can be easily implemented into existing facilities. Learn more