Powerline Adapters

ArranJ · 29 May 2014 at 12:51

Hi,

I currently use TP link 200mbit powerline plugs, they worked fine in my previous property, maintaining full 60mbit etc.

In my new flat they are only reaching around 50mbit, where as wireless N can get up to 75mbit, also a 10 metre rj45 is reaching 75mbit.

I find it strange that my wireless is maintaining a higher speed than the powerline adapters that have always been so reliable.

Could it possibly be the RJ45 cables that I'm using with the powerlines? (They were new with the TP Link adapters).

It's a 1 floor flat, rooms are right next to eachother, wiring is probably pretty old, but in my last house it was 40 odd years old?

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Arran.

Nymins · 29 May 2014 at 12:54

Most likely the wiring or some electrical appliance causing interference. This is the main reason I don't like them, a lot of variables get in the way of performance.

The distance is also a factor. The wire from the Powerline in the flat could be going around all the other flats, just depends how it was built.

ArranJ · 29 May 2014 at 14:03

Not an awful lot plugged in, pc extension, tv extension, that's about it. All adapters directly into the wall.

I don't know whether to chance drilling a hole through the wall in a rented property, to go from lounge to bedroom, as this would fix all my problems.
However knowing what's at that point in the wall becomes dangerous...!!!

Alternatively run 20m on Cat6 around skirting boards/doors...?1

meandu229 · 29 May 2014 at 14:12

One of my powerline died the other day and it maxed out around 40mb in a 5 y/o flat,, Moved to wireless in the mean time, up to 60~mb on my wifi but added about 10-15 on pings.

ArranJ · 29 May 2014 at 14:18

Thinking it I can't get it working better this evening then only makes sense to run 20m of cable or just work on wireless...which 10 - 15 on a ping is not exactly a lot.

Recommendations...usb Wireless N dongle (currently have a D-Link uber one) or PCI-e card? like the asus one?

GefGz · 29 May 2014 at 14:23

Run the cable, find the most unobtrusive corner you can, drill it and run it through, not only is wired more robust, faster and more secure, a wired connection is also sometimes needed for certain applications such as flashing firmware on the router.

Make sure you check for wall cabling and voids(can borrow a stud finder if you're really anxious), when you move out just remove the cable, plug the hole with a long dowel and use some filler on either end.

I might be renting a flat with a few more holes in the walls than were there originally..

ArranJ · 29 May 2014 at 16:32

Where can one obtain RJ45 that has not got connectors on each end? I would need about 15 - 20m...? I don't want a whole reel...!

bremen1874 · 29 May 2014 at 18:23

If you're after a length of stranded cable to crimp ends onto then the simplest (and cheapest) option is to buy a decent quality manufactured cable and chop the end(s) off.

ArranJ · 29 May 2014 at 23:20

Cheers, I might still do that.

However found that another plug in the bedroom was leeching like 25mbit off my bandwidth, now putting the powerline in that plug and running a 10m cat5 from that I now get 72mbit, 3mbit less than a complete ethernet solution.
I think I can live with that!