Homeplugs and radiofrequency interference (RFI)

GingaNinja · 22 Apr 2013 at 20:30

Hi all. I recently extended my home network using homeplugs (powerline adapters). Since I did this, my PC speakers have produced a lot of white noise and high-pitched whining. I'm pretty sure it's to do with the homeplugs, because the interference actually gets worse when there is increased network traffic. For example, if my son is in the living room watching iPlayer, the amount of noise coming from my PC speakers increases.

I've done a small amount of research into it, and I've seen two suggestions - (1) get a mains conditioner 4- or 6-gang extension or (2) get a surge-protected extension. Does anyone have any positive experience of resolving a problem like this using one of these options, or have any alternative solutions?

Thoughts welcome and appreciated.

Ginga

bremen1874 · 22 Apr 2013 at 22:25

Is it the speakers or the PC picking up the noise?

GingaNinja · 22 Apr 2013 at 22:30

Hiya. I reckon it's the speakers - at least, the only symptom I have is this hiss and crackle through the speakers, and they are powered through the mains (i.e. not USB powered). Also, it only started after I installed the homeplugs.

Ginga

bremen1874 · 22 Apr 2013 at 22:32

Are they plugged in near a Powerline adapter?

GingaNinja · 22 Apr 2013 at 22:42

They certainly are. I have two mains outlets in my office. The homeplug is in one of them, and all the other stuff is powered through the other one. Do you think that's the problem?

Ginga

GingaNinja · 22 Apr 2013 at 22:45

I suppose something I could try is to run an extension from a different socket from elsewhere in the house and see if that makes any difference.

Ginga

Edit: tried that and it certainly helps. The hiss is still there, but only just.

Methanoid · 12 May 2013 at 10:27

Also sometimes brand of homeplug makes a difference. The higher speed Homeplugs produce more RF interference. Also the Belkin Gigabits and Comtrend HPs are well known for being VERY noisy!

GingaNinja · 12 May 2013 at 12:03

Thanks for that. I think the makes I'm using are decent (TP link and Dlink), by I have mixed them. So do you think it might be better if I used 200 Lbs homeplugs instead of the 500s?

Ginga

Methanoid · 12 May 2013 at 16:25

GingaNinja said:
Thanks for that. I think the makes I'm using are decent (TP link and Dlink), by I have mixed them. So do you think it might be better if I used 200 Lbs homeplugs instead of the 500s?

Ginga

I can't say for sure.. but I do know from conversations with Homeplug interference with experts at Ofcom that the newer designs for higher speeds use a wider RF range and potentially interfere to a wider frequency range. Put simply, if they want to achieve faster speeds they have to use a wider range.

Many UK radio hams are unhappy about the rise in homeplugs usage