Powerline Adapters

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • bigbeark
    Badcaps Veteran
    • Jan 2010
    • 661
    • Canada

    #1

    Powerline Adapters

    This device allows you to use a power outlet as a Network Adapter!

    How can this work? Is it safe?

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=N100-1433
  • ryanhull76
    New Member
    • Jan 2012
    • 7

    #2
    Re: Explain This Please

    These are "safe" products, but to be honest, I would never use one.

    The powerline solutions are usually meant for last-ditch-effort when you just can't run network cable and you need "something."

    However, I've also found them to be very unreliable. Also, if you look, you'll see that their speed is only rated at 85Mbit/Sec. Real-world, expect appx 30Mbit/Sec. That's less than 10% of the speed available to modern ethernet connections and you'll definetely notice a drop in connection quality during large file tranfers, (i.e. movie files from a network share to a DVR, HTPC, etc.)

    It won't affect internet speed much at all, as most of us don't have >30Mbit download speeds, and the latency is fairly negligible.

    My recommendation, run cable and connect it that way.

    Hope that helps!

    Comment

    • mariushm
      Badcaps Legend
      • May 2011
      • 3799

      #3
      Re: Explain This Please

      They are safe, but as said above, the actual speed varies a lot.

      And, as it works by introducing "noise" in the power cables, they won't work well if you're using an UPS or any device like a surge protection socket.

      Speed is also much lower if the wall sockets are on different circuits in the house, if you're using microwave ovens or any device that's poorly designed and introduces noise on the power wires... they can disconnect or degrade the signal.

      There are newer generation devices that work on a newer standard, but even those can reach about 60 mbps but on average they stay at around 30 mbps:

      http://www.anandtech.com/show/4695/h...ices-working/1

      ps. One "flaw" these devices have is that they heat a lot, so if you plan to use them you must keep that in mind and not have carpet near them or other heat sources which would fry them, they need air around them to keep the temperature in check.

      Comment

      • ratdude747
        Black Sheep
        • Nov 2008
        • 17136
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Explain This Please

        I have an old set of netgear ones.

        It wasn't reliable. it liked to overheat. (edit- I was posted over, its not as uncommon as i thought)

        those look better built.

        they work as long as you don't plug them into a power strip with a surge protector... surge protectors kill the signal.

        I would personally stick to wifi do to greater bandwidth but if you need super security and cannot run some cat5e, it works.

        (it may be used in the future for people's internet connections...)

        edit- thread moved and title fixed to reflect topic
        Last edited by ratdude747; 01-11-2012, 09:51 AM.
        sigpic

        (Insert witty quote here)

        Comment

        • 370forlife
          Large Marge
          • Aug 2008
          • 3112
          • United States

          #5
          Re: Please Explain

          I use to use one. It worked fine but I had one that the other end was a wireless access point. It got a little hot, not the best signal strength, but it worked. The only reason I got rid of it is because AT&T sent us these new wireless Uverse TV boxes and they allow you to tap into the back of them with ethernet cables for internet.

          Comment

          • japlytic
            Badcaps Legend
            • Oct 2005
            • 2086
            • Australia

            #6
            Re: Powerline Adapters

            Not even the latest powerline networking standards compare to wiring dedicated to networking, and powerline networking should only be used to supplement your wiring dedicated to networking, not replace it.
            There can be issues about the use of powerline networking in rental properties.
            My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

            Comment

            • kaboom
              "Oh, Grouchy!"
              • Jan 2011
              • 2507
              • USA

              #7
              Re: Explain This Please

              Originally posted by ratdude747
              surge protectors kill the signal.
              It's the EMI/RFI filter that just happens to be included in most surge suppressors. Cheapie "plug strips" usually just have a .47 - .68 uF cap across the line. Better ones will have a proper CLC filter. Both will eat up the carrier-current signal from the 'add-a-plug' devices.

              And if both units are on opposing phases, that signal's not getting past the XL of the distribution transformer. X-10 sold a 'line coupler' so your Powerhouse controllers would work no matter what phase they were on. I think it was (mostly) just a cap.

              Before the "plug-in-ethernet" toys, there were "phone-anywhere" gadgets. If you used them to 'extend' a phone line to a better location for a modem (also marketed as a miracle solution in this case), you'd be lucky to get 9600 bps.
              "pokemon go... to hell!"

              EOL it...
              Originally posted by shango066
              All style and no substance.
              Originally posted by smashstuff30
              guilty,guilty,guilty,guilty!
              guilty of being cheap-made!

              Comment

              • selldoor
                Slow Learner
                • Dec 2010
                • 7870

                #8
                Re: Powerline Adapters

                Hi- I have no idea but google "powerline ethernet diagram"

                there are number of articles on Wiki

                Here is one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HomePlug

                Lots of technical stuff here:
                http://www.datasheetarchive.com/sche...datasheet.html

                Including attachment if you want to build your own!!
                Attached Files
                Please upload pictures using attachment function when ask for help on the repair
                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39740

                Comment

                • Junk Parts
                  Court Jester
                  • Jun 2006
                  • 8953
                  • USA

                  #9
                  Re: Powerline Adapters

                  My best guess would be that using a homes wiring as a data network wouldn't workout so well. I'll stick with my hardwired DSL modem. It works for me.
                  "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."
                  Mark Twain

                  "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
                  John Paul Jones

                  There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.
                  Rod Serling

                  Comment

                  • seanc
                    Badcaps Legend
                    • Nov 2008
                    • 1319

                    #10
                    Re: Powerline Adapters

                    I've used these all time time, they're safe and useful.
                    It's true, the speed sucks.

                    I live in rented accommodation so I can't run cables all over the house and most of the older houses are built properly with thick block walls.

                    They're good for printers and I used them to connect from the house to my garage...

                    Comment

                    • uffda_oi
                      Member
                      • Dec 2011
                      • 18

                      #11
                      Re: Powerline Adapters

                      My first gen powerline/ethernet adapters served their purpose safely and worked in my home network. Mine were slow but faster than our local DSL.
                      You need a pair or more for home networks. I've used Tiger refurbs before with no problem. The price is right.

                      The older ethernet bridges were to be plugged in directly--not into a surge protector. The noise prevention caps (EM and RF) created a problem.

                      Every circuit may not communicate with every other circuit in the building and some of your circuits may communicate with a neighbor's wiring.

                      Hard wiring is the most secure and pristine.
                      Uffda

                      Comment

                      • Amraks
                        Badcaps Veteran
                        • Nov 2011
                        • 724
                        • Australia

                        #12
                        Re: Powerline Adapters

                        Interesting I have thought about the possibility of that you may be able to access someones network if you are close enough by doing this.

                        So Im living in a block of units so you're saying seems my next door neighbours power box is next time mine they can connect to me via power.

                        Comment

                        • uffda_oi
                          Member
                          • Dec 2011
                          • 18

                          #13
                          Re: Powerline Adapters

                          So Im living in a block of units so you're saying seems my next door neighbours power box is next time mine they can connect to me via power.[/QUOTE]

                          It depends on how your own circuits are set up. Sometimes, a circuit may be isolated. Sometimes, a circuit may link to another box.

                          If memory serves, I read this in a review of home wiring ethernet bridges somewhere. Since my understanding and memory of this are both fuzzy , I should have kept my mouth shut.

                          I side with the folks who recommend ethernet cable (but I use a couple of DSL modems or a wireless router depending on mood or traffic). My computers are on different floors and a good 50 feet apart.
                          Last edited by uffda_oi; 01-18-2012, 11:01 AM. Reason: added stuff
                          Uffda

                          Comment

                          • Agent24
                            I see dead caps
                            • Oct 2007
                            • 4913
                            • New Zealand

                            #14
                            Re: Powerline Adapters

                            Never tried one but I don't like the idea. I much prefer my wired ethernet network.

                            Also I think a lot of them are badly built with crap capacitors... Certainly haven't seen anyone praising one for high quality construction yet!
                            "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous"
                            -David VanHorn

                            Comment

                            • ratdude747
                              Black Sheep
                              • Nov 2008
                              • 17136
                              • USA

                              #15
                              Re: Powerline Adapters

                              I had a set of netgear xe102 adapters... and I recently received for free another 2.

                              haven't used them in a while... but i opened one and found nothing but UCC and nichicon caps...

                              the last time i used them, they would overheat under heavy usage....

                              looking at the size of the main chip, I think one could get a set of stick-on heatsinks and stick those on the chips to cool them... next time I am at Fry's, I may grab a pack and see...

                              (posted this using the adapters)
                              sigpic

                              (Insert witty quote here)

                              Comment

                              Related Topics

                              Collapse

                              • davg
                                Home network connection problem
                                by davg
                                I just bought a new ThinkPad laptop and I need to connect it to my home network. I have several computers on my network and can see each other in File Explorer and the older ones can communicate with each other (even with the new one) but the ThinkPad can see the other computers but can't communicate with them. I get the (network error 0x80070035 The network path not found). I tried several scenarios that I found on line but none of them worked?? Since the other computers on the network can communicate fine I'm assuming the problem is with the setup of the ThinkPad? All computers are running Windows...
                                03-06-2021, 07:13 AM
                              • japlytic
                                Maximum speed should be marked on network ports
                                by japlytic
                                I noted that a number of consumer entertainment devices have the maximum speed marked on the wired network port and considering that there are broadband plans faster than 100 Mbit, the wired network port can be a bottleneck since some routers do not have Gigabit (only 100 Mbit) support for the WAN port let alone the wired network ports.

                                One other thing: Certain low cost network cables only have two pairs which limits speed to 100 Mbit.​
                                12-19-2024, 05:04 PM
                              • pintglass
                                Powerline Network Adapter power Issue
                                by pintglass
                                Hi
                                Im trying to repair a D-Link(DHP-300AV) powerline adapter which is not powering up.

                                I've only done some basic tests at the moment to confirm its getting mains in through the fuse which it is. All caps dont show any sign of buldging.
                                The power supply seems to be based around a LNK623PG as can be seen in the images attached.

                                Can anyone provide any trouble shooting steps to try and diganose whats causing the no power issue....
                                08-16-2020, 05:57 AM
                              • BOSCHNJAK
                                by BOSCHNJAK
                                ABOUT ME INTRODUCTION FILE

                                2
                                024 BEV, BIH, SARAJEVO START PROJECT: ELECTRIC VEHICLE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER CONVERSION http://www.bev.ba/TOYOTA4RUNNER/index.html

                                2023 BEV, BIH, SARAJEVO START PROJECT: SECRETS AND MANUFACTURING PLANS (AS MY REPLICA) OF THE LIBERTY ENGINE 2.0.
                                2022 BEV, PROJECT ?
                                2021 BEV, PROJECT ?
                                2020 BEV,BiH, Sarajevo: PROJECT IS: HOW TO SWITCH OFF PERMANENT MAGNET FIELD and HOW TO SWITCH ON PERMANENT MAGNET FIELD?
                                2019 BEV, Croatia, Ston:, Broce: PROJECT - PROJEKT ELEKTRIČNI GLISER http://www.bev.ba/ELEKTRICNIVANBRODSKIMOTOR/indexHR.htm...
                                12-28-2023, 02:09 PM
                              • sdogs
                                Macbook Pro 16 A2141 stuck in network boot
                                by sdogs
                                Good evening guys ;-) In a moment of lucid madness I bought a macbook pro 16 A2141 on which they sat on it. Aside from the banana shape and obviously gone screen, the macbook turns on, sounds the initial gong.
                                I disassembled the screen and connected it to an external display, using a usb-c adapter, but I can't reinstall the os.
                                I tried SMC and PRAM reset but the result doesn't change, the recovery starts only from the network, I tried different USB pendrives with different operating systems but nothing, it sees the boot device for an instant and immediately goes looking for the network....
                                02-25-2023, 11:27 AM
                              • Loading...
                              • No more items.
                              Working...