200mbps powerline restricting Sky fibre

Spuderoony · 20 Oct 2012 at 11:15

Hi

I think my 40/10mbps Sky connection is being restricted by my 200mbps powerline. Does this sound right? I'm getting 23-25mpbs download and 8-9mpbs upload consistently.

If so, I'm willing to upgrade my 200mpbs powerline network to achieve full 40/10 speed.

I need access at 3 points around the house:

- one side of the living room (router/NAS/master socket, etc.)
- other side of the living room (SMARTtv, xbox, sky)
- upstairs in my office (desktop)

What kits are good for this? I've had a look around and it seems that most 500mbps kits are single port powerline - is it a problem to combine a single port one with a cheap switch right next to it?

Any other related advice appreciated

rpstewart · 20 Oct 2012 at 11:24

You aren't guaranteed 40mbps down with FFTC, your speed depends on the distance to the cabinet. Before you go splashing cash on unnecessary kit have a look and see what the line is capable of in the first place.

What does the modem say it's syncing at?

Spuderoony · 20 Oct 2012 at 11:56

The modem is synced at 40,000 and 9,996

Nocky24 · 20 Oct 2012 at 12:43

Your 200mb powerline is the restriction. I've got a couple of 500mb powerline now- using them in a house that is around 100 years old, wiring about 15 years old and it needs to go from upstairs to the downstairs extension and I'm getting a throughput of between 35-45 (depending on conditions), never less than 35 though even with the washer on or something.

I've been using the TP Link AV 500mb ones that are on ocuk. I also use a 10/100 netgear switch and it works perfectly. The switch goes to an access point, 360 and a PC. No problems at all.

Spuderoony · 20 Oct 2012 at 12:49

Thank you!

moogle · 20 Oct 2012 at 21:20

The 200Mbps homeplugs might be able to keep up with the speed of Sky fibre but I think you would need faster plugs because of your wiring.

I've been able to get 80-50Mbps from 200Mbps homeplugs.

Best way to find out would be to connect direct to the modem and see the results of a speed test.

If it's showing your max speed then the homeplugs are what's restricting you.

Spuderoony · 31 Oct 2012 at 22:37

Here's an oddity:

I tested it direct to the router - got 40-45mb on speedtest. Ordered 500mb gigabit homeplugs.

Yet it's still reporting around 26/27mb in speed tests when using these new homeplugs. Short of putting CAT5 around the whole house, what can I do now?

shine · 31 Oct 2012 at 22:43

Spuderoony said:
Here's an oddity:

I tested it direct to the router - got 40-45mb on speedtest. Ordered 500mb gigabit homeplugs.

Yet it's still reporting around 26/27mb in speed tests when using these new homeplugs. Short of putting CAT5 around the whole house, what can I do now?

Have you unplugged the old home plugs? If not they will all reduce their speed to the slowest home plug.

d_brennen · 31 Oct 2012 at 22:47

The TPLink AV200s can sustain my 37.5mbps max download on BT Infinity no problems, it's likely the wiring of the house

Spuderoony · 31 Oct 2012 at 22:59

Yeah, all old homeplugs removed.

The house is only 6/7 years old - surely the wiring should be sufficient? Though it wouldn't be the first time I've found Persimmon to have cut corners.

shine · 31 Oct 2012 at 23:47

Rather than wiring it could be something plugged that is causing the problem. Cheap chargers etc. cam cause issues. Make a list of everything that is connected and see if you can isolate the offending item.

Spuderoony · 31 Oct 2012 at 23:58

I've taken everything off that is non-essential (router, PC, BT box, homeplugs, fridge) and it's still the same. Just don't understand how a new house can have such poor wiring

bremen1874 · 1 Nov 2012 at 00:58

I’m of the opinion that modern wiring can actually work against you.

In an older build (60s – 70s) that hasn't been rewired you’ll have simple wiring with quite possibly just a single circuit for all of the sockets and no RCDs.

In anything modern you’ll have a split load consumer unit, probably with RCDs on both sides. The two sockets that are trying to talk to each other can easily be on different circuits, or even on different sides of the consumer unit.

shine · 1 Nov 2012 at 08:55

bremen1874 said:
In anything modern you’ll have a split load consumer unit, probably with RCDs on both sides. The two sockets that are trying to talk to each other can easily be on different circuits, or even on different sides of the consumer unit.

This is a valid point - I can't use homeplugs in my conservatory as they have RCD's between protecting the electrics. If this is the case then look into MoCA or just running network cables around the house.

a1ex2001 · 1 Nov 2012 at 10:39

One thing that has been found to make a difference that you've not tried is to take of the faceplates of all you plug sockets and tighten the retaining screws on the wires (turn off at the fuseboard first). This is a particular problem in newer/recently re-wired houses that have been done in a rush as really the electrician should have tightened the retaining screws done something else for a few hours and then nipped them up again as they have a strange habit of going loose.

unleashed · 2 Nov 2012 at 09:11

a1ex2001 said:
One thing that has been found to make a difference that you've not tried is to take of the faceplates of all you plug sockets and tighten the retaining screws on the wires (turn off at the fuseboard first). This is a particular problem in newer/recently re-wired houses that have been done in a rush as really the electrician should have tightened the retaining screws done something else for a few hours and then nipped them up again as they have a strange habit of going loose.

+1

unleashed · 2 Nov 2012 at 09:14

shine said:
This is a valid point - I can't use homeplugs in my conservatory as they have RCD's between protecting the electrics. If this is the case then look into MoCA or just running network cables around the house.

A RCD will have no impact whatsoever, they are passive electromechanical switching devices.

shine · 2 Nov 2012 at 09:16

unleashed said:
An RCD will have no impact whatsoever, they are passive electromechanical switching devices.

Yet the homeplugs can't communicate when they are in the circuit - I'd be happy to hear of an explanation.

FoxEye · 3 Nov 2012 at 14:16

Also homeplug in general differ most between actual speed and rated speed. There's a technical reason if you want to dig into it (more overheads I think).

So 85Mb rating homeplugs would routinely only do 20Mb as a best case (made up example).

I imagine it's still the same with 200Mb rated homeplugs.

Sone · 4 Nov 2012 at 14:52

shine said:
Yet the homeplugs can't communicate when they are in the circuit - I'd be happy to hear of an explanation.

seeing most 17th edition wrings will use RCBO's, can you not communicate between differen circuits if using these?