topic Re: Powerline adapter problem in Broadband

Powerline adapter problem

jameswcole — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 13:57:46 GMT

Hi folks, have tried a pair of TP-Link TL-PA251 with new plus net router, but they don't connect - the ethernet light doesn't flash, only the power light which then goes into standby after a couple of minutes of no network. I'm pretty sure I have set up correctly, and they work at my brothers house in same configuration. so thinking there's either a problem with my home electrical circuits - lots of forum users mention different 'phase' or 'ring circuit' but I have no idea what that means - or a settings issue with plus net router.
as nothing i can find in the forum suggests plus net router compatibility problems with TP link problems, I'm thinking it must be house circuitry. router is upstairs, trying to get Ethernet point downstairs. any suggestions for checking if upstairs and downstairs sockets are on different circuits and if that could be it? or an explanation of phasing so i can look into that?
any suggestions gratefully received!
cheers
James

Re: Powerline adapter problem

greshoff — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:10:25 GMT

I think the issue is to do with the ring main circuits. Houses usually have separate ring circuits for upstairs and downstairs. You cannot use hopeplugs/powerline adapters across ring main circuits. ie plug one in upstairs and the other downstairs

Re: Powerline adapter problem

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:26:22 GMT

All houses would normally have more than ring main one for each floor. Powerline adapters do work across rings mains as mine do with no problems.
Does your consumer unit use RCD as these can cause them not to connect.to each other. It has also been suggest extension leads with surge protector cause the same issue.
Dan.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

IngeJones — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:29:21 GMT

I can confirm they work across rings, as I have my Devolo kit doing so quite well. They need to be on the same something... rail? It's more at fusebox level.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jameswcole — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:36:08 GMT

thanks Dan, not using any surge protection and both adapters are plugged straight into wall sockets, no extension bars.
how would i go about checking if RCD used? no idea about electrics as you can probably tell. guess that if there are two circuits, upstairs and downstairs, with separate fuses in the fuse box then they are on separate circuits - will check that tonight, but where does the RCD come into it?
cheers, James

Re: Powerline adapter problem

w23 — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:40:38 GMT

If you have a laptop (or a computer with ethernet near the router) the best way to test the powerline adapters is to plug each into a separate socket on the same double socket outlet if you have one available close enough to your router (make sure both are switched on at the socket).

Re: Powerline adapter problem

hopkiathome — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:46:56 GMT

Have a look at your consumer unit to see if there's a little yellow button there,but have to say I am using powerline adaptors on a circuit with an RCD in the consumer unit with no problems.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jameswcole — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:49:38 GMT

Quote from: 77
If you have a laptop (or a computer with ethernet near the router) the best way to test the powerline adapters is to plug each into a separate socket on the same double socket outlet if you have one available close enough to your router (make sure both are switched on at the socket).

thanks, will try this - all this will do is confirm if the units themselves are working though i think?

Re: Powerline adapter problem

Dan_the_Van — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:51:26 GMT

James reading your first post, I would expect the nearest to the router network light to be on, you've not got a faulty network cable? Follow 77 32 33 suggestion to check they work next to each other would be a good starting point.
Screw Fix would be a good place to look for examples of consumer units with RCD but I would expect to see the word RCD on the switches. It is only a suggestion they might cause the issue.
Dan

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jelv — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:53:02 GMT

Quote from: greshoff
I think the issue is to do with the ring main circuits. Houses usually have separate ring circuits for upstairs and downstairs. You cannot use hopeplugs/powerline adapters across ring main circuits. ie plug one in upstairs and the other downstairs

I've successfully used PA-211 not only on different ring circuits, but ring circuits on different fuse boxes (but on the same meter).

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jameswcole — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:16:42 GMT

Quote from: Dandroid
James reading your first post, I would expect the nearest to the router network light to be on, you've not got a faulty network cable? Follow 77 32 33 suggestion to check they work next to each other would be a good starting point.
Screw Fix would be a good place to look for examples of consumer units with RCD but I would expect to see the word RCD on the switches. It is only a suggestion they might cause the issue.
Dan

yes, ur right Dan, the adapter connected to the router displays ethernet network connection LED, the other one doesn't. thanks also for the RCD pointers, will have a look this week when at home

Re: Powerline adapter problem

Strat — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:53:20 GMT

Quote from: IngeJones
They need to be on the same something... rail?

I think you are referring to phase but that usually goes without saying in a domestic environment.
There have been instances on here......

Re: Powerline adapter problem

adagio — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:14:46 GMT

Is there not utility software to test the connectivity? There is also what looks like a useful FAQ here
http://www.tp-link.com/lk/support/faq/?keywords=TL-PA251KIT
I have successfully used powerline adapters for some years on separate mains loops.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

Strat — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:21:43 GMT

TP-Link adapters come with the utility on a CD but it's also available to download from their site.
I use it on mine.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jameswcole — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:39:42 GMT

Quote from: adagio
Is there not utility software to test the connectivity? There is also what looks like a useful FAQ here
http://www.tp-link.com/lk/support/faq/?keywords=TL-PA251KIT
I have successfully used powerline adapters for some years on separate mains loops.

looks good, thanks, will work through. but first will test the individual adapters, then check for RCDs - as seems that if they are there for both upstairs and downstairs then i may well be wasting my time checking all the IP settings.
Strat - is this TP link online process (http://www.tp-link.com/lk/article/?id=62) the same as on the CD that came in the box?
cheers
James

Re: Powerline adapter problem

Strat — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:46:31 GMT

No it's a windows utility to show which adapters are connected, their connection speed and MAC address.

Re: Powerline adapter problem

pj2014 — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:52:57 GMT

Thought I'd chip in here...
I had a pair of PA 211...(Full size) Kit adapters across two separate ring circuits on two different fuse boards at mine. Both fuse boards ultimately (normally if its still all one house!) go through the same meter so it deffo works.
I have since added a further pair of the nano variety and all I did was to download the utility others have mentioned, reset the plugs (via the utility) and place them next to one another, double socket side by side and press the pair button. I did all this with a laptop wired up to at least one plug whilst running the utility and kept adding the plugs to the group (homeplugAV or something, its the default setting)
I must add, some of my plugs do not have the network light flashing away (only two out of three lights on a plug flash), but once they were all paired it made no difference. They still all work.
PJ

Re: Powerline adapter problem

NorthPole — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:29:41 GMT

Quote from: IngeJones
They need to be on the same something... rail?

'Busbar' is the word you're looking for - the copper bars which connect the various ring circuits in the consumer unit (fusebox).

Re: Powerline adapter problem

jelv — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:33:14 GMT

Not necessarily:

Quote from: jelv
I've successfully used PA-211 not only on different ring circuits, but ring circuits on different fuse boxes (but on the same meter).

Re: Powerline adapter problem

HughA — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:52:05 GMT

My fusebox is split into 2 sections, each protected by separate RCDs. I can't use my powerlink adaptor between rings on the separate parts of the fusebox. I think the problem is that the signal has to pass through 2 RCDs and is attenuated too much.