Methods to test the operation of the pick-up coil without having to
de-energize the power line serving as the power line carrier in order to
perform testing on the pick-up coil. A series of test frequencies are
introduced and parameters of the pick-up coil can be measured to detect
the presence or absence of resonant behavior indicative of the health of
the pick-up coil. Testing capabilities may be incorporated into a power
line carrier receiver and use the connections between the pick-up coils
and the receiver to perform the pick-up coil test. Various methods are
disclosed for evaluating the pick-up coil response to a series of test
inputs of different frequencies. These methods could be incorporated in a
pick-up coil testing device that is independent of a receiver.