Powerline Networking - is it worth it?

sgtmoody87 · 27 Sep 2012 at 17:58

Okay so I've been wanting to use ethernet for a while not instead of my wireless adapter as I constantly get problems e.g internet going down having to reset it to fix it. I get this with nearly every adapter I use. I was thinking about powerline adapters as Instead of having to move the router in my room from downstairs I could use them. And my mum likes to use her laptop while sat in the garden and as it is she gets about 1 bar and moving the router to my room isn't going to help. So I was thinking.

- Powerline Adapter.
or
- Wireless extender in conservatory so Mum gets better signal and moving my router to my room.
or
- Buying very long ethernet cable and running it under carpet and fitting a hub in my room.

What are the good/bad things about powerline adapters? Are they worth it?

Deleted member 77746 · 27 Sep 2012 at 18:06

In my opinion if network cables can't be run then the only choice really is powerline networking. I have mixed mode and not had problems.

Infidelus · 27 Sep 2012 at 18:22

I've been using powerline for years now. The house isn't mine, and the owner won't let me flood wire it with network cables, so it's the next best thing. Never going to get gigabyte speeds out of them, but far, far better than any wireless alternative.

sgtmoody87 · 27 Sep 2012 at 18:52

Hmmm May as well order some long ethernet cable then if you get a slower speed. Not worth the premium I suppose.

iostream · 27 Sep 2012 at 20:06

I've been using powerline adapters for about a year now, they've been brilliant

No hiccups, no problems at all. Although depending on how your house is wired, they may not work between different floors. Does your fusebox have just one breaker for the sockets?

I've been using these btw:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-032-TP

EDIT: I created a thread asking about powerline adapters before I bought them, feel free to have a read here:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18317471

GodAtum · 28 Sep 2012 at 09:49

I have been using the Belkin 1GB Powerline and get around 400Mb/s speed.

GeX · 28 Sep 2012 at 10:24

Mine used to work fantastically, and then we had a new boiler installed and shortly after they went to pot. Their performance is totally dependent on your house wiring.

bledd · 28 Sep 2012 at 10:36

Can't be good old cat5e

For a year a I tried..

High end wireless kit
High end (gigabit) poweline

In the end, I drilled holes in the ceilings/floors and put some cables in. Wish I hadn't bothered with the other options first.

GeX · 28 Sep 2012 at 11:08

bledd. said:
Can't be good old cat5e

For a year a I tried..

High end wireless kit
High end (gigabit) poweline

In the end, I drilled holes in the ceilings/floors and put some cables in. Wish I hadn't bothered with the other options first.

This is what replaced my powerline link. I managed to get a bit of black network cable to run through a hole where the central heating pipes ran into the cupboard under the stairs and then tacked it to the top of the (black) skirting board with black wire clips... and the coloured the heads of the little metal nails on the tacks with black marker. What cable? I see now cable?

Uhtred · 28 Sep 2012 at 11:45

I use mine as a temp measure until we redecorate. It does the job but it's only just quick enough and is susceptible to interference from mobile chargers and such.