Home networking has improved, and powerline adapters are still effective today.
Home networking has improved, and powerline adapters are still effective today.
I’m planning to move into a four-story townhouse built in 2014. My goal is to set up wired connections using powerline for my roommates and add one extra wireless AP. I need to know which options work best and what factors affect their performance. Can I check if my wiring supports powerline compatibility? Since Comcast is our only ISP (the usual provider), we have either a 600/10 or 1000/35 connection. My modem will likely be on the ground floor, giving me an Ethernet link straight to my PC. I want two wired connections in each of the other three bedrooms—two on the third floor and one on the fourth. Some network gear options come to mind: a Ubiquiti Pro-unit setup (probably Unifi equipment). Most people say it’s hard to get it right, require many wires, and if it works it can be costly and complicated. A mesh WiFi system is another possibility—it’s easy to install but may suffer from interference from neighbors and won’t give solid hardwired ports. I’m considering powerline because it’s the only feasible choice, but I have questions: Has powerline really improved? Will it run as smoothly as a mesh setup in ideal conditions? Should adapters share the same circuit for best results? How much noise from appliances should I expect? For example, will running laundry affect the connection? Can I test my wiring with a tool like a Fox & Hound device? If I can hear a tone at another outlet, does that suggest good performance? Should I give up and just buy a powerline kit instead of trying to figure it out myself? Any advice would be appreciated.
Primarily the condition of the structure's electrical system.
I own a TP-link AV600 in my home. Our house is roughly two decades old, yet the powerline Ethernet performs almost as well as a traditional wired connection. Yet the WiFi struggles, dropping intermittently and then reconnecting within 20 to 30 seconds. It becomes quite annoying, and sometimes restarting the powerline extender resolves the issue. This problem affects all wireless devices. Based on my own experience, I’d only suggest using it for wired connections rather than WiFi. (Our broadband speed is very low—maximum around 3mbps—but since the Ethernet works fine, it doesn’t seem to be the main concern)