LAN over Electricity?

[Borealis7]

Hi,
I always hated being dependent on WiFi and the fact that there is never a computer that is always connected to the router in case it stops working and i need to go in and configure it.

so now i have a router in the living room and a computer in a room where the WiFi signal doesn't reach, and i'm looking for a recommendation for a device that can connect me over the apartment's electricity lines, while also eliminating "WiFi pollution" in my apartment. (you can never know, they might discover some day that it is harmful...)

first of all what is that device even called? is it a Repeater? i don't even know WHAT to look for
what else do i need to look for? whats a good brand in the market for this?
my electricity is european socket, 220V @ 50Hz, 3-phase, does it matter? must all devices be on the same phase?

also, can i have one socket near the router and 2 other sockets in the apartment connect to it? what about multi-socket adapters (power strips), do they interfere?

if anyone has any experiences with such devices, what problems have you encountered?

thanks for the help.

 

[John Connor]

I believe the correct term is LAN over powerline. I heard mixed reviws on these things and YMMV. Basically it comes down to the quality of your wiring. Here is an article on the best out there I guess.

http://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/power-line-adapters/

Actually, those are US models. But maybe you can find a similar here. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/278-7554386-6981208?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=power%20line%20over%20ethernet

Why did Europe go with such a crappy voltage and phase system? LOL No, the phase won't matter so long as you buy the 220v one meant for your neck of the woods.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

It can work. I've personally never had it work well, but that's me. Get 'em somewhere with a return policy you like and try them out.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

what else do i need to look for? whats a good brand in the market for this?
my electricity is european socket, 220V @ 50Hz, 3-phase, does it matter? must all devices be on the same phase?

Yes.

also, can i have one socket near the router and 2 other sockets in the apartment connect to it?

Yes.

what about multi-socket adapters (power strips), do they interfere?

Yes, they interfere.

 

[Railgun]

You actually have multiple phases split out within your home? What country are you in?

In the UK, I'm using the TP Link TL-PA6010KIT and it works great.

 

[alkemyst]

IMHO when people speak of WiFi not reaching, they usually have the wrong device(s) and/or antennas in place.

With out a layout it's hard to say what your solution should be.

However; WiFi is much better than PowerLine in my experience.

 

[JackMDS]

IMHO when people speak of WiFi not reaching, they usually have the wrong device(s) and/or antennas in place.

With out a layout it's hard to say what your solution should be.

However; WiFi is much better than PowerLine in my experience.

Actually what they have is a Dream.

In the car Business it is obvious that if we Want to Race a car, use One for the whole family, and need vehicle for Heavy Constructions, there is No one Vehicle that does it all we need to buy 2/3 Cars/Vehicles.

In the WIFI world there is deliberate marketing approach to Deceive the Users.

WIFI was designed to Work with Network of Multiple Devices to cover well cover and provide good functionality according to the layout of the Environment.

Just because the Wife/Husband/Landlord/Parents etc. do not want extra wires/devices in their domicile it does not mean the the WIFI concept would Change.

With some imagination and additional modest funds it is always possible to neatly create Excellent Home Wireless network.

 

[Borealis7]

You actually have multiple phases split out within your home? What country are you in?

In the UK, I'm using the TP Link TL-PA6010KIT and it works great.

i live in Israel, and all modern construction here uses 3 phase electricity because it's very hot in the summer and we sometimes have multiple AirCon units in full blast and so the house is divided to phases so that not all the load goes on the same circuit. with 1 phase, and like 25-30 amps per home you couldn't run a 2hp AC and boil water for a shower or use an oven at the same time.

my router is in the living room, and my desktop is in the "shelter room" at the end of a 12ft corridor, the room is reinforced concrete with steel (cause you know...rockets and stuff) so WiFi reception isn't good there.

i might end up just moving the desktop but i still don't like the idea that no computer is physically connected to the router.

 

[John Connor]

Run networking cable?

 

[Borealis7]

i might be able to do it through the centralized AC ducts that run along the ceiling. i run the cable in the duct and drill a small hole just inside the room so the cable doesn't come out of the vent.

 

[John Connor]

I ran networking cable throughout our house. WIFI just doesn't fit the bill.

 

[azazel1024]

If you run it through the duct, especially make sure you use plenum rated cable. Its specially fire rated to resist burning as well as to not put off toxic fumes if it does burn. Its required for anything run through duct work by international wiring/fire codes, but seems especially important considering it is running in to a shelter space. A cheap few extra bucks of insurance.

As for the electrical, three phase is probably a bit more about rectification than it is anything about residential load.

Not sure the size of the typical service in Israel, but in the US, typical is 2-phase, 240V, 60Hz 100amp residential service to homes pre-dating around 1970. Later homes are generally have a 200 amp service and occasionally you can find 400amp services on really big homes, though often times they have dual 200amp services.

In US wiring you have the 240v 2-phase split out in to 120v single phase within the service panel with any 240v circuits joining the phases backup again through the breaker for that circuit.

In Israel, is it 360v 3-phase entry to the residence?

 

[Borealis7]

i don't know that much, i'm not an electrician...

so in conclusion, i understand that these devices could solve my problem, but the performance isn't optimal. instead of a 100Mbps LAN i would get around 28-30Mbps connection to the router which isn't bad considering my internet bandwidth is 15Mbps.
i'd just have to make sure the model i buy works with 3-phase electricity.

 

[Mgz]

I used 2 TP-LINK TL-WPA4220KIT kit in my apartment and it has been perfected for my use. Since I only have 12Mbps cable therefore the rate of AV500 is more than enough to browse the Internet and stuff.

Without Powerline, I have tried several brands from TP-link, ASUS, Linksys but it is pretty hard to get through the huge 30cm concrete and steel wall in 35-floor apartment, plus about 20-30 something wifi AP from your neighbors.

 

[Railgun]

i'd just have to make sure the model i buy works with 3-phase electricity.

Q: Can TP-LINK powerline adapters work in different phases of three-phase circuit?
A: Yes, but its rate will be affected when crossing the phases. For three-phase four-line circuit, we suggest you use the topology below to get good performance.

http://www.tp-link.us/article/?id=406