Patent ID: 7667344

Claim:
A system for coupling communications signals to an underground medium-voltage power line, the system comprising: a medium-voltage power line comprising a center phase conductor and a concentric neutral conductor, wherein the center phase conductor is coupled to a transformer and a portion of the concentric neutral conductor is separated from the medium-voltage power line to form a ground wire, the ground wire coupled to the concentric neutral conductor of the medium-voltage power line without the use of a lightning arrestor, the ground wire coupled to a ground rod; one or more ferrites substantially surrounding at least a portion of the ground wire between the medium-voltage power line and the ground rod; a coaxial cable comprising a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor is coupled to the ground wire between the one or more ferrites and the medium-voltage power line and wherein the second conductor is coupled to the ground wire between the one or more ferrites and the ground rod; and a communications device coupled to the coaxial cable, the communications device comprising at least one modem.