Objective of the site survey in the medium and low voltage network is meant to evaluate the intrinsic communication parameters of the grid.
More than two decades of the accumulated experience in performing such surveys worldwide has provided sufficient evidence that not every line nor network is fit for either narrowband or broadband PLC applications. It is well known that it is possible to calculate communication parameters of the line or the grid. However, lack of the data about the current state and condition of the line or network makes the calculation-based decision about the potential of the network unreliable and risky.
On the contrary, once undertaken, the data evaluated of the current network grants sufficient and reliable evidence to support the findings of whether the line or the grid is fit to be used for the intended communication purposes.

The survey:

• indicates the condition of the line or grid in order to improve its communication performance.
• and its results and recommendation are unbiased and therefore independent from the technology provider. However, where the technology provider is selected in advance the survey is conducted to identify the optimal use of the line, grid and associated devices and systems taking into account the specifics of the technology intended to use.
• with its findings, analysis and recommendation provides to the Company Management an invaluable insight into the feasibility of the line or grid usage as a communication medium.
• eliminates the need for expensive open-ended experiments resulting from the lack of the evidence to make a qualified decision to enter into the full-scale system installation. There are several identified cases where survey has not been done prior to the system installation, and where suitability of the network or some of its components have been identified during the contract execution.
• eliminates the necessity to create several small-scale installations to gain the experience and evidence selecting the communication technology provider.
• provides hard evidence to the utility to make the right decision selecting the communication technology, appropriate to satisfy its needs communicating for an effective and cost efficient network management.
• establishes the potential of a line or a network to be offered to a third party for using in applications requiring broadband communication.
• generates an opportunity for the Network Operator to set up the business case and accurate investment planning based on hard evidence.
• enables an unbiased selection of the most appropriate communication technology provider.

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