The Hitachi Energy ETL600 R4 is a compact PLC system, where PLC stands for Power Line Carrier, a technology used for decades by electric power utilities to transfer vital information for the operation and protection of the electric power grid. The ETL600 R4 is an advanced, universal solution for transmitting speech signals, data, and protection commands over high-voltage transmission lines. It is designed to be a secure communication solution for critical infrastructure, providing a cost-efficient and reliable alternative or backup to fiber optic networks in applications where installing fiber is economically unjustified or as a redundant path for mission-critical services.

The defining characteristic of the ETL600 R4 is its universal hardware and software architecture. Unlike conventional systems where the choice between analog and digital operation is final and irreversible, the ETL600 R4 uses the same hardware components for both modes. Users can select or change the operating mode on-site with just a few mouse clicks. This unprecedented flexibility protects customer investments, simplifies spare parts inventory, and allows for a seamless transition from legacy analog to advanced digital PLC technology. The system is fully backward compatible with the proven ETL500 series, with thousands of units in operation worldwide.

Release 4 (R4) of the ETL600 introduces significant enhancements, including increased output power options of 50 Watts and 100 Watts up to 1 MHz, and a more compact single-rack architecture for the 50W version that occupies just six height units. It also features enhanced network functionality with four integrated LAN ports (three electrical and one optical), supporting VLAN and the latest cybersecurity measures. The system is engineered for the harsh environment of electrical substations, incorporating extra measures for high availability and protection against electromagnetic interference and overvoltage stress. All interfaces, including data ports, are electrically isolated, providing protection beyond standard requirements.

The ETL600 R4 is a comprehensive communication platform. It offers flexible bandwidth selection (from 2 kHz to 32 kHz per direction) to efficiently exploit sparse frequency resources. Comprehensive monitoring and diagnostic features include a suite of alarm relay outputs (system, cabinet, hardware, link, interface, and warning) and a nonvolatile event recorder capable of storing 2600 time-stamped alarm and manipulation events, as well as 2600 command events. An IRIG-B clock synchronization input is also available. The system operates on a -48V DC power supply and complies with a wide range of international standards, including IEC 60495 and IEC 61000-6-2/6-4. It is the ideal solution for electric utilities requiring a future-proof, reliable, and secure communication backbone for their power grid operations.

Technical Specifications