{"id":4226,"date":"2019-11-08T22:36:23","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T22:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesmartcave.com\/?p=4226"},"modified":"2020-02-27T23:08:34","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T23:08:34","slug":"how-to-use-powerline-adapter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartcave.com\/how-to-use-powerline-adapter\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you use a Powerline Adapter to extend your home network?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In order to create an awesome smart home<\/a> that is reliable and easy to use, you have to have a robust home network. If your WiFi router is leaving you with spotty, unreliable coverage, a powerline adapter may be able provide the extra coverage you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, a home would have ethernet cable drops in every room. However, that’s not the case for most people. What we do have in every room is electrical outlets. A powerline adapter let’s you use your home’s electrical wires to transfer network data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4 Occasions to use a Powerline Adapter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of options to choose from when you need to expand your home network’s coverage. There are a few specific cases when a powerline adapter is a great choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Detached Garage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a detached garage that is too far from your home’s router to get a reliable signal, a powerline adapter can solve the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My home’s WiFi signal does reach my garage. In fact, my Chamberlain hub<\/a> was connected for many months without any problems. However, I found that my phone’s WiFi connection was spotty while I was in the garage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, I installed a TP-Link powerline adapter<\/a> to extend my home’s internet to my garage. I plugged an old Linksys router into the adapter and now I have perfect WiFi in the garage. The bandwidth is significantly less than the maximum (see table below), but it’s still plenty to stream video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Thick Walls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thick walls can be a barrier for WiFi<\/strong>. However, powerline adapters should have no problem traveling through walls as long as there’s an electrical wire that passes through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Dead Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a “dead spot”, it may be caused by interference from certain electronic devices.<\/strong> Adding a WiFi repeater in the area may improve the signal, or it may not. A powerline adapter will be able to bypass the interference and provide a stable connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Crowded WiFi (apartment)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an apartment or other area where the WiFi frequency band is really crowded<\/strong>, you may experience frequent connectivity problems, especially with high-bandwidth devices. This is potentially a great application for a powerline adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will powerline adapters work anywhere in my home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common misconception with powerline adapters is that traveling through circuit breakers will have a negative impact on the signal. In fact, the signal can travel through multiple breakers and even between homes with minimal impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the main cause of signal degradation will be electrical interference and to a lesser extent distance between the adapters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TP-Link lists the range of their powerline adapter as up to 300m of wire between the adapters. Although I haven’t tested it, I suspect this optimal range is only possible with a single length of wire with minimal appliances to cause interference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course in a typical home, there are many appliances that can cause interference which will degrade the signal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is powerline as fast as ethernet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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No. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theoretical maximum for powerline is at least comparable to ethernet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in real world use, your powerline adapters will not be able to get close to their theoretical maximum (see my case study below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethernet does not suffer from the same degradation over long distances because it is not nearly as prone to electrical interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Should I use encryption for my powerline network?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes. It’s a good idea to use encryption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many places, a single transformer feeds electricity to multiple houses. It is possible for powerline devices to work between all homes that are fed by the same transformer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, if you setup a powerline adapter without encryption, it could be possible for a neighbor to plug in a compatible powerline adapter in their<\/em> home, and tap into your<\/em> powerline network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you set up encryption on your powerline network? Don’t worry, it’s super easy and it literally only takes a couple seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO<\/strong>: With both adapters plugged in, simply press the pair button on the first adapter. Then, within 2 minutes, press the same button on the second adapter. That’s it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do all my powerline adapters need to be the same brand?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you should make sure that they all use the same standard. The latest standard is called Homeplug AV2. This is the standard that most new powerline adapters will use. It’s way faster than previous versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used the TP-Link AV1000 powerline kit<\/strong><\/a>. It was super-easy to setup and use. Without any previous experience with powerline or even reading the instructions, I had it up and working in under 5 minutes<\/strong>. It really is plug and play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything special about the TP-Link brand. My guess is you\u2019d be fine buying any brand as long as it meets your bandwidth requirements and uses the Homeplug AV2 standard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a few more powerline options available on Amazon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n