This is a practical guide in power utility communications. It explores the planning, design, and deployment of communications networks, including fiber, microwave, RF, and Ethernet in electric utility spaces as related to smart grid. Also covered is communication fundamentals and fiber-optic radio system design. Network performance and reliability considerations are discussed. INcluding channel protection, system latency, and cyber and grid security. Numerous examples and calculations are presented to demonstrate reliability and availability measures for the fiber-optic systems.

ntroduction to PowerUtility Communications; Contents; Preface; Chapter1 Introduction to Communications Systems; 1.1 Brief History of Communications; 1.1.1 Alexander Graham Bell, Elisha Gray, and the Invention of the Telephone; 1.1.2 Nikola Tesla and the Invention of Radio; 1.1.3 Invention of Optical Communications; 1.2 Networks and Data Transmission Media; 1.2.1 Review of Logarithms and Decibels; 1.2.2 Early Days of Electronics; 1.2.3 Introduction to a Communications System; 1.2.4 Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs); 1.2.5 Transmission Media. 1.2.6 Security and Encryption1.3 Electrical Grid and Power Utility Communications; 1.3.1 An Overview; 1.3.2 SCADA; 1.3.3 Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMSs) and Synchrophasors; 1.3.4 Protective Relaying; 1.3.5 Voice Communications; 1.3.6 Closed-Circuit Television; 1.3.7 Corporate Data Network; 1.3.8 OPGW; 1.3.9 Power Line Carrier (PLC); 1.3.10 Broadband Power Lines (BPL).