Ethernet over Mains Power

Narj

Narj

Narj

Soldato
Joined
19 Feb 2010
Posts
13,258
Location
London
Has anyone used these devices before? I'm loath to run cabling between floors and am looking at this as an alternative.

I'd really appreciate it if people could share their experiences!

A few things that concern me though:

- Security: Surely anyone on your same local phase can pick up your transmissions? I presume these things must encrypt?
- Bandwidth/Latency: How's performance compared to a bit of CAT5/6? Do manufacturer specs live up to claims (200Mbit/s)?

I was planning on just having one plugged into the switch downstairs, and the other connected to a PC upstairs (so no chance of collisions).

TIA!
 
Been using these for 18 months, originally had a Belkn set then upgraded to Devolo, so far I have not had any major issues with either set. The Belkins ones did have the odd issue but a power off / on all was well :)
 
I have used homeplugs in 2 different situations: 1. to connect router to the telly for iplayer etc. Copes with Hi-def streams, and never had any buffering issues or dropouts. 2. Just moved my PC into dining room away from the router. Wifi was awful, so moved my homeplugs around and now get a flawless internet signal.

I have cheapo 200mbit ones (£40 for a pair a year ago)
Can't comment on network speed as don't use them for that . Can't comment on security as it seemed a bit of hassle to set up, plus I live on a street with fogies with basic PC knowledge.
 
Cool,

Thanks all!

One other question - do these have to be on the same ring main for best performance or does it not matter at all (seeing as the mains all hits a common point just before the meter anyhow).

As far as I see it, I have 3 options:

- Put Cat6 in the house and a patch panel under the stairs (overkill)
- Get Virgin Media to run another feed up the external wall into the upstairs bedroom
- Use these thingies :D

After having to use wifi for the past 5 months in rented accomodation, there's no way I'm using it again when I move back in!
 
I used 80mbps plugs for ages. You can get much faster one's now.

The plugs were excellent, and I do a lot of online gaming.

I found them much better than even the quickest wireless, and my house has ancient electrical wiring.

If you can't lay an ethernet cable, these are the next best thing.
 
Jordan97 said:
How do these things even work?
Click to expand...

I first thought maybe earth = common ground, Live = Xmit, Neutral = Rcv, or something. But I'm not sure how that would work if you had your Earth and Neutral joined. :confused:

Looks like an encrypted session is formed between the two mentioned, it says AES but not the type (assume 128 bit?)
 
i remember trying these when they were first out on the market, they had such poor speeds and connectivity issues - but i hear they are a lot better now :p

i remember reading an article about how to improve your speed and it was things like extension cords/surge protectors/ariel boosters/rat deterants/ etc that were causing speeds to drop

but i dont know if that still applies now
 
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So, you've got two of them, yes? One of them you plug into the mains and connect it to your router via an ethernet cable and the other one you plug into the mains and connect it to the computer? Is that right?
 
I've been using the TP Link PA201s for about a year now and it's been great. No problems, and getting the full speed of internet. Can't see much difference in latency when gaming either.
 
These are secure, apart from the encryption, they only work within the circuit of your consumer unit (IE fusebox/leccy meter) as the meter interrupts the electricity flow. I got a couple of 200mbs ones and they work exactly like just plugging in a cable to your router. A very neat and unobtrusive solution.
Oh and I agree about surge protectors etc. Try to plug them direct into the wall socket if possible. You can get passthrough ones if you are short of sockets.
 
Can these be used to extend the range of a wireless network?

So for example you have a homeplug next to your router, and one elsewhere with another router plugged in acting as an access point?
 
PianoBasher said:
I first thought maybe earth = common ground, Live = Xmit, Neutral = Rcv, or something. But I'm not sure how that would work if you had your Earth and Neutral joined. :confused:

Looks like an encrypted session is formed between the two mentioned, it says AES but not the type (assume 128 bit?)
Click to expand...

Earth and Neutral joined? Er, you do know your electric just would not work!

:p
 
I have one homeplug in the main house, and another in the extension which is fed from a different consumer unit - no problems.

I think data is just encoded onto the live or neutral wires, using the 50Hz as a carrier. Go look it up if you're that interested :p

Oh, and I have had them running through multi-way adapters too - though not my surge protected one.
 
I use some zyxel ones and they are reliable although I do get 5-15ms on my lan with them...not sure if this is normal or something wrong with my power or the units though!
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Can these be used to extend the range of a wireless network?

So for example you have a homeplug next to your router, and one elsewhere with another router plugged in acting as an access point?
Click to expand...

Yep that's fine.

I have one permanently connected to my main router and the other end in my workshop which is at the bottom of my garden, which is well beyond my wireless range. That end is connected to another router to provide multiple network ports and wireless. The secondary home plug is on a completely different fuse box circuit to that of the house. I kept them separate in case the anything blew in the house that would interrupt what I was doing... and vice-versa.. I have a third home-plug for general use around the house where wireless isn't strong enough.

I can seriously recommend these :)
 
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