Sec. 15.113  Power line carrier systems.

    Power line carrier systems, as defined in Sec. 15.3(t), are subject 
only to the following requirements:
    (a) A power utility operating a power line carrier system shall 
submit the details of all existing systems plus any proposed new systems 
or changes to existing systems to an industry-operated entity as set 
forth in Sec. 90.63(g) of this chapter. No notification to the FCC is 
required.

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    (b) The operating parameters of a power line carrier system 
(particularly the frequency) shall be selected to achieve the highest 
practical degree of compatibility with authorized or licensed users of 
the radio spectrum. The signals from this operation shall be contained 
within the frequency band 9 kHz to 490 kHz. A power line carrier system 
shall operate on an unprotected, non-interference basis in accordance 
with Sec. 15.5 of this part. If harmful interference occurs, the 
electric power utility shall discontinue use or adjust its power line 
carrier operation, as required, to remedy the interference. Particular 
attention should be paid to the possibility of interference to Loran C 
operations at 100 kHz.
    (c) Power line carrier system apparatus shall be operated with the 
minimum power possible to accomplish the desired purpose. No equipment 
authorization is required.
    (d) The best engineering principles shall be used in the generation 
of radio frequency currents by power line carrier systems to guard 
against harmful interference to authorized radio users, particularly on 
the fundamental and harmonic frequencies.
    (e) Power line carrier system apparatus shall conform to such 
engineering standards as may be promulgated by the Commission. In 
addition, such systems should adhere to industry approved standards 
designed to enhance the use of power line carrier systems.
    (f) The provisions of this section apply only to systems operated by 
a power utility for general supervision of the power system and do not 
permit operation on electric lines which connect the distribution 
substation to the customer or house wiring. Such operation can be 
conducted under the other provisions of this part.
[ 54 FR 17714 , Apr. 25, 1989;  54 FR 32339 , Aug. 7, 1989]