Powerline Kit and Switch Question

Steedie · 28 Dec 2016 at 16:37

Hi guys,

A really simple question (I'm guessing) but reading all kinds of conflicting reports via Google so thought I'd check here

I live in a new build with FTTP, which has the Open Reach modem in the cupboard under the stairs. I want to make use of the extra power sockets we have in that cupboard and use a powerline kit to connect up my home cinema setup and consoles.

So my question is, can I have a powerline kit with one plug in the cupboard and another at my AV setup, and have that going in to a switch so I can connect all 5 devices? Do I need to look at certain models if it's going in to a switch as opposed to being directly connected to something?

And while I'm here, any recommendations for a kit that will suit what I'm looking for?

Thanks as always

bledd · 28 Dec 2016 at 16:41

Run network cables

Steedie · 28 Dec 2016 at 16:43

Trouble is, I'm absolutely awful at DIY so wouldn't fancy my chances at being able to run cables from the cupboard in to the living room, and do a good job at it, concealing it and a nice tidy finish etc.

That would be an ideal solution yeah, but not really something I'd be able to do

bremen1874 · 28 Dec 2016 at 17:32

To answer your original question you can plug a switch into the Powerline adapter for your AV gear.

It doesn't need to be anything special, just a standard switch. For the costs involved just grab an eight port unmanaged Gigabit switch you like the look of.

bledd · 28 Dec 2016 at 18:58

Get someone in to do it

DIABLO · 28 Dec 2016 at 19:20

As stated above it will work but to me it seems a waste to pay for FTTP and then bodge the last few metres of network with powerline.

Steedie · 29 Dec 2016 at 00:57

I'll look in to the costs of getting someone to do it. I didn't actually pay for FTTP as it was just part of moving in to a new build but I know what you mean.

Thanks as well bremen

bremen1874 · 29 Dec 2016 at 01:37

I'd try the Powerline first, just buy them from somewhere with a sympathetic returns policy and don't skimp. Even if they limit the bandwidth to some extent they'll probably be good enough for the usual Internet streaming tasks.

Bledd will tell anyone mentioning Powerline adapters to run a cable instead. It appears to be a mild form of keyboard tourette's.

Whilst I'd agree that a cable is a better option in almost all respects (and that's what I'd actually do) it isn't always the only viable option.

It's worth mentioning that cables don't have to run internally. It can be much easier to drill two holes right through the outside walls and run a length of external grade cable. It's no different to what Sky/Virgin/BT would do.

stoofa · 29 Dec 2016 at 01:45

bremen1874 said:
It's worth mentioning that cables don't have to run internally. It can be much easier to drill two holes right through the outside walls and run a length of external grade cable. It's no different to what Sky/Virgin/BT would do.

I did exactly this on Tuesday.
Drill out upstairs bedroom and front room (next to holes done by Sky engineer).
Ran 2x external grade CAT5E cables - terminated them in surface mounted back boxes which were "no more nails" attached to skirting boards.
I've now got 2 network sockets to link upstairs to downstairs - I only use one of the runs, I ran two cables purely for redundancy.
As long as you've got the parts - most difficult bit is feeding the cables through the holes - couple of hours work.

Hyburnate · 29 Dec 2016 at 01:48

How much are you expecting/willing to pay for someone to do it? I could tell you if it's worth their time and yours first.

bremen1874 · 29 Dec 2016 at 01:56

stoofa said:
Drill out upstairs bedroom and front room (next to holes done by Sky engineer).

Measure accurately and drill in. You can then go in via a mortar joint which will remove any chance of a brick face blowing out and leaves a hole that can be invisibly filled.

Any internal mess will initially be covered by the socket and can later be covered with a bit of filler.

Hyburnate · 29 Dec 2016 at 02:04

bremen1874 said:
Measure accurately and drill in. You can then go in via a mortar joint which will remove any chance of a brick face blowing out and leaves a hole that can be invisibly filled.

Any internal mess will initially be covered by the socket and can later be covered with a bit of filler.

Precisely - And it'll probably be plasterboard internally anyway which doesn't tend to leave a mess

moogle · 29 Dec 2016 at 08:54

No chance of using Wireless AC? It's pretty good nowadays, I get around 500mbps up/down (Using Ntttcp for lan tests) to my router under the stairs (I'm only on the 2nd floor).

stoofa · 29 Dec 2016 at 12:13

bremen1874 said:
Measure accurately and drill in. You can then go in via a mortar joint which will remove any chance of a brick face blowing out and leaves a hole that can be invisibly filled.

Any internal mess will initially be covered by the socket and can later be covered with a bit of filler.

Whereas I agree that doing a correct measure would reduce the chances of popping a brick, repairing a brick fascia isn't too much work.
My "downstairs hole" was already in place from when I was experimenting with outdoor electricity points. I was prepared for a brick pop on the "upstairs hole" but as luck would have it, I came out via mortar between bricks

But however you do it, I've only had to do a 3m cable run and by using surface mount back boxes with face plates and the small RJ45 modules, it looks really neat and tidy at both ends of the run and I'm simply plugging a standard network patch cable into each box.
You could miss out the boxes and modules at each end of your run if you wanted - simply run an already booted cable, but I think the boxes look neater.

bledd · 30 Dec 2016 at 10:30

bremen1874 said:
Bledd will tell anyone mentioning Powerline adapters to run a cable instead. It appears to be a mild form of keyboard tourette's. Whilst I'd agree that a cable is a better option in almost all respects (and that's what I'd actually do) it isn't always the only viable option.

Everyone comes back within 6 months of using powerline, unhappy with the drops and slow speed.

Steveocee · 30 Dec 2016 at 19:22

Yes you can.

Be aware though doing this may not yield great results if you need the home cinema stuff to talk to other equipment on your network connected directly to the router.

The bottleneck will always be the powerline adapters no matter how "new" your house is, the cable was never designed to carry anything other than power.

bledd isn't wrong, a cable will always be better and if it's something you are going to use frequently then you want something reliable.