Comments on: Powerline/Homeplug restrictions

By: Graydon

Graydon — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:59:34 +0000

Have purchased a D-Link powerline AV starter kit and D-Link Powerline AV wireless N Extender. I have a house with 4 separate (?) power circuits (all separate on the power board). However these power line devices work brilliantly on all circuits. There was a comment on one of the forums that suggested that the signal is transmitted via the neutral cable and that multicircuit houses probably have a common neutral. However I note that the wireless extender doesn’t have an earth pin and still works very well (FYI).
Anyway – the system is well worth the money.

By: John

John — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:17:52 +0000

My understanding is that those who have problems with PLC should check the connections in the line example, the socket. Old or poor quality sockets cause poor connections which causes a lot of problems in speed, so the more connections in the line the better chance of poor speed things like power boards etc are not good for PLC (Power Line Communication).

By: Ray P

Ray P — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:05:25 +0000

Hi Dean, can you tell me what brand and model number you installed? I am thinking of getting two to connect upstairs and downstairs. Thanks

By: Dean C

Dean C — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:41:33 +0000

Installed two of these today. One in our main house with an Internet connection the other in a granny flat totally separate from the house. The mains power was on 3 separate circuits. The main house had a speed of 200Mbps and the granny flat 60-75 Mbps. So we have wired Internet for the first time in the granny flat and it’s very stable – happy with the result.

By: Roger M

Roger M — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:53:18 +0000

I understand that the latest Homeplugs transmit on the neutral wire. If the building wiring is split into different circuits or phases it is the active wire of each circuit that is connected to a seperate circuit breaker – the neutral wires are simply joined together at the fuse box. This should mean that all homeplugs should be able to communicate with each other – however the path between plugs on different circuits would be longer because it would be routed via the neutral common point at the fuse box and this may impact on maximum speed.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:32:09 +0000

Has anyone taken a look at the potential for RF interference from these products on sale here in Australia? It has been a major issue in the ham radio community in the UK with the RSGB taking a very active role in getting the authorities to make manufacturers comply with EMC standards.

By: OzCableguy

OzCableguy — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:46:45 +0000

Hi Mark,

If they’re placed in between the powerpoint and surge protector/UPS they should be fine but they’re not likely to work if connected to one of the surge protector/UPS outlets.

By: Mark Blake

Mark Blake — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:31:08 +0000

I have only one mains outlet at my Home Theatre, so do these devices work fine with surge protectors, powerboards, UPS etc etc?

By: OzCableguy

OzCableguy — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:42:41 +0000

Thanks Dave. Yes, it seems there’s some inconsistencies with whether circuit breakers cause problems or not. Some people seem to have no worries but others have issues. Unfortunately from a sales perspective this means that I can’t make any promises so I have to err on the side of caution.

By: Dave I

Dave I — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:36:04 +0000

Homeplug works between circuits, provided they are on the same phase and the cable length is not too long. I use a video camera system with built in homeplug and have no problems.

If you have 3 phase power in your home then having devices on different phases will not work since there is no electrical connection (other than through the windings of motors, which is a large impedance). If that was the case, the bridging idea would work.

A single phase house with long circuits to the fuse board might give trouble if ‘there and back again’ was too long.