A communications system is provided for direct communications between powered elements. A controller hub injects a first message via a modulated communication signal onto a branch circuit using a hub-side power line communication (PLC) coupler. An element-side PLC coupler associated with a powered element in a set of powered elements detects the first message and sends an interrupt to a mini-controller in the powered element. The mini-controller receives the interrupt from the element-side PLC coupler, extracts the first message using the element-side PLC coupler; reads a destination identifier in the first message; compares the destination identifier in the first message to a mini-controller identifier in the mini-controller; sends an acknowledgement message back to the controller hub in response to the destination identifier in the first message matching the mini-controller identifier, and forwards the first message to the powered element. The powered element performs a command identified in the first message.