Electric Company Using Power Lines for Data

Snags writes: "The local electric company PPL Utilities is testing a system to send electricity usage readings back to the company over its own power lines. According to a local newspaper article, they are using the TWACS system made by DSCI. I'm just hoping this doesn't interfere with other ideas for sending data over power lines."

Comments

Hack your utility bill!

[Quixadhal]

Boy, I can't wait for the first time I can take a tcpdump of my electrical wiring in to dispute my bill...

And how about a DDOS attack? Do I have to firewall off my toaster now? :)

Re:Hack your utility bill!

[plover]

If this system interferes with X-10, does that mean the end of their stinking pop-under ads for X-10 cameras?

Sign me up!

Either that, or this system may be inadvertently bridging X-10 signals, so we get to watch our neighbors X-10 cameras. Hmm... choices.

Re:Hack your utility bill!

[Colin Bayer]

so we get to watch our neighbors X-10 cameras.

Hell, that might work for you if you live next to a model or movie star. I live next to a slaughterhouse and proctologist. Where does that leave me? ;)

Of course,

[base3]

this idea has the potential (get it?) to make a short in your network card a little more hazardous. This is a BOFH moment waiting to happen.

Re:Power Line Interference with HF Radio

[Big Dogs Cock]

I remember a quote at the time:
One day, aliens will wonder why humanity built an enormous phased-array antenna to beam pornography and credit-card numbers into deep space.