Thermal management method and device for powerline communications

A plug in power line module apparatus comprising:

• a removable housing member, the removable housing member including an outer region and an inner region, the housing member having a width, a length, and a depth;
• a first prong and a second prong extending from the removable housing member, the first prong and the second prong being adapted to couple into a power line outlet;
• a communication port coupled to the first prong and the second prong, the communication port;
• a spatial volume provided by the width, length, and depth of the housing member;
• an electronic module having a planar region disposed within the inner region, the planar region being characterized by module width and a module length, the planar region, the planar region being substantially parallel to a surface region defined by the width and the length of the removable housing member, the electronic module comprising at least:
• a power line device adapted to process a data signal from a first format to a second format;
• a first set of air inlets and air outlets provided to allow thermal energy to traverse through the inner region and along the planar region of the electronic module while the first prong and the second prong are provided in a first power line outlet in a first direction;
• and
• a second set of air inlets and air outlets provided to allow thermal energy to traverse through the inner region and along the planar region of the electronic module while the first prong and the second prong are provided in a second power line outlet in a second direction.