Home network exnsion via electricity wiring

[RooFlyer]

Anyone used something like this.? Very interested to hear any comments, pros, cons (power surges an obvious problem).

As I understand it, the 'master' unit is plugged into the internet (Ethernet cable to one's router) and a power plug. The remote unit (having been 'paired' with the master at the start so signal from the Master can obly be received by the desired remote unit) is plugged into a power plug and broadcasts wi fi, having received the signal via your house's electricity wiring. You can have multiple remote units.

The idea being that you get a very local wi fi broadcast point to extend the range of your wi fi. Or you can connect to the remote unit via another Ethernet cable.

My home office is an extension put onto my house and my desk is enclosed on 2 sides by a thick brick wall which seems to degrade the wi-fi signal, which emanates from the only telephone jack, the other end of the house (on ADSL). Very difficult to install a new telephone jack for various reasons.

 

[asterix]

I've previously used a D-Link unit without any hassles. I've heard that if you have 3 phase power you may run into problems if the master and slave are on different power phases. Not sure if that is accurate as we only have single phase power at home.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes I was told mixed phases would be an issue too.

 

[Steady]

I have been using a D-Link system for a few years. It generally runs without issues, but occasionally I need to reset one of the remote units or turn the main unit off / unplug it for 30/60 seconds.

 

[brebbles]

We've been running one (pretty sure it's D-Link) as our modem is at one extreme end of the house and we wanted to run a Fetch TV box right down the other end. The Fetch TV service streams video at great quality flawlessly, though it probably helps that we have cable internet to start with.

 

[Buzzard]

I have a Netgear unit here at work that causes no problems.
There seem to be a few brands doing the rounds so I would do a bit of Google research before forking out $$$

I have a NetComm NP204 master that you can have free, all you would need to do is purchase a slave or two.
An interesting thing with the NetComm unit is that it has a power point built into it so that you don't lose the power point it occupies.

 

[MrHyde]

I am using the same unit as the one pictured and have had no issues with it. For me Wi-Fi signal is not an issue living in a small apartment. However, my modem is on one side of the room and my media center is on the other side. I've found Ethernet to be far quicker than Wi-Fi and rather than have a long Ethernet cable going from one side of the room to the other, I've got these units in place. As mentioned earlier, I've had to re-pair the units about once in the last 3-4 months - other than that have not had any issues at all.

 

[Daver6]

I use this setup. I think a different branch, but essentially the same thing. I don't use the WiFi version, just needed an ethernet point somewhere else. Very reliable. Speeds are no where near the advertised rates, but more than enough for what I needed.

They seem to be a bit of a rip-off in Australia (no surprises there really).

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Thanks also to Buzz for the offer, but I'm getting a whole bunch of stuff#, so it'll all be in the one package.

# As usual, at Christmas I give myself much more useful things than Santa does

 

[jb747]

I haven't used one of these, but I've looked at them a couple of times for a previous home.

I think you need to ensure that the two plugs you're using are on the same circuit (not just same phase). If they aren't on the same fuse/CB, then I don't think it will work.

 

[RooFlyer]

I haven't used one of these, but I've looked at them a couple of times for a previous home.

I think you need to ensure that the two plugs you're using are on the same circuit (not just same phase). If they aren't on the same fuse/CB, then I don't think it will work.

You are correct. I'd forgotten - that's what the sales guy told me to check before I bought.

 

[DeKa]

jb747 is right - and the reason is the signal won't pass through a Residual Current Detector (RCD) and most circuit breakers are CB/RCD combined devices.

Anyway, I have tried these Ethernet over Power (EoP) devices and gave up.

 

[moa999]

Have used them previously to great success. Will work on most houses where all standard power outlets are on the same circuit/breaker.

A lot cheaper than wiring proper Cat6. Much like a 4-port switch can be more price efficient when you need additional outlets