A power line communication bridge circuit, comprising: a first coupler arranged to couple data signals to and from a first power line circuit; a second coupler arranged to couple data signals to and from a second power line circuit; wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from one or more distribution transformers; a first communication transceiver connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler; a second communication transceiver connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler; a controller operable to examine data signals from the first communication transceiver and to determine if the data is destined for a device on the second power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for a device on the second power line circuit is considered local data; wherein the controller is further operable to examine data signals from the second communication transceiver and to determine if the data is destined for a device on the first power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for a device on the first power line circuit is also considered local data; bridging means configured to pass data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and to not pass data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local; the power line communication bridge circuit characterized by comprising a beacon generator operable to generate beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication bridge circuit serves as a master in a PLC network. a first coupler arranged to couple data signals to and from a first power line circuit; a second coupler arranged to couple data signals to and from a second power line circuit; wherein the first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from one or more distribution transformers; a first communication transceiver connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler; a second communication transceiver connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler; a controller operable to examine data signals from the first communication transceiver and to determine if the data is destined for a device on the second power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for a device on the second power line circuit is considered local data; wherein the controller is further operable to examine data signals from the second communication transceiver and to determine if the data is destined for a device on the first power line circuit, wherein data that is not destined for a device on the first power line circuit is also considered local data; bridging means configured to pass data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is not local, and to not pass data signals between the first communication transceiver and the second communication transceiver when the controller determines that the data is local; the power line communication bridge circuit characterized by comprising a beacon generator operable to generate beacon signals transmitted over the first and second power line circuits, wherein the power line communication bridge circuit serves as a master in a PLC network.