Power line coupling device and method of using the same

A power line communications apparatus for communicating data signals over an underground power line cable carrying a power signal having a voltage greater than one thousand volts, the cable comprising a center conductor, a concentric insulator disposed external the center conductor, and a concentric conductor disposed over a first portion of the power line cable external to the insulator, the apparatus comprising:

• a coupling conductor disposed concentrically around a second portion of the cable external to said insulator and having a first end and a second end;
• a transceiver cable coupled to said first end of said coupling conductor;
• a magnetically permeable toroid disposed substantially around the entire circumference of a portion of said coupling conductor;
• and
• wherein said second end of said coupling conductor is communicatively coupled to ground.

A method of communicating data signals over an underground power line cable, the cable comprising a center conductor, a concentric insulator disposed external the center conductor, and a concentric conductor disposed over a first portion of the power line cable external to the insulator, the method comprising:

• along a second portion of the cable where the concentric conductor is absent, attaching a coupling conductor around the insulator in a manner to form a gap between attaching a coupling conductor and the insulator in a manner to form a gap between first end of the coupling conductor and the concentric conductor;
• positioning a magnetically permeable toroid substantially around the entire circumference of a portion of said coupling conductor;
• and
• communicatively coupling a transceiver to the coupling conductor.

A power line communications apparatus for communicating data signals over an underground power line cable, the cable comprising a center conductor, a concentric insulator disposed external the center conductor, the apparatus comprising:

• a concentric conductor disposed over the power line cable external to the insulator and substantially around the entire circumference of the power line cable;
• wherein said concentric conductor includes a first and second portion spaced apart from each other via a gap;
• a magnetically permeable toroid disposed substantially around the entire circumference said first portion of said concentric conductor;
• and
• a transceiver cable coupled to the first portion of the concentric conductor.