Home-specific WiFi coverage advice

[#1]

Hello

Newbie here having just got full fibre which works well coming to the house. Issue (as expected) is speed drops significantly in 2 rooms which are extensions from original. There are thick stone walls between the hub (2) and these rooms.

Looking at the plan attached, what would you recommend to get better speed in kitchen and garden room apart from Ethernet cabling?

Not needed for gaming but Ring cameras are located external to these rooms. All 3 rooms are on separate circuits for the sockets! TIA.

[#2]

Moderator's note:
Thread moved from Broadband to My Router 

[#3]

@GlastonesGoons 

Is there any chance of running ethernet cable - either internally or externally?

Brian

[#4]

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@GlastonesGoons wrote:

All 3 rooms are on separate circuits for the sockets! TIA.

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Are the circuits protected by separate RCBs or RCBOs? This post is long in the tooth now but is still relevant:    https://community.plus.net/t5/Tech-Help-Software-Hardware-etc/Powerline-Unit-Performance/m-p/1607450...

[#5]

Hi Brian

Yes there is am option for Ethernet but i would like to investigate other alternatives too.

Many thanks

[#6]

Hi

I looked at that post yesterday and didn't fully understand it

They're all on the same consumer unit but all operate separately to each other. E.g. if I turn the garden room sockets off the kitchen and living room will stay on etc.

[#7]

@GlastonesGoons 

What is it that you don't understand? Alternatively, if you can post a photo of your consumer unit, indicating which breakers control each circuit, then we can advise how well powerline devices should work.

[#8]

Photo of consumer unit attached

1 = Garden room sockets

2 = Kitchen sockets

3 = Rest of house sockets

[#9]

@GlastonesGoons 

Trying to think what the cause of the confusion might be? The design of Consumer Units has changed over the years. Variations range from:

Original 'Fuse Box' . These have not RCDs and are likely to give adequate performance with Powerline devices on seperate circuits.

Early Consumer Units with only one RCD. Like Fuse Boxes, these should not be problematic.

Split Circuit Consumer Units. Here two or more RCDs are fitted and can cause problems. This is the source of the attached topic. 

High Security Consumer Units. A bit of a niche product due to cost. These will definitely have a detrimental effect on Powerline performance.

[#10]

There are 2 RCDs on mine

[#11]

@GlastonesGoons 

Our posts have crossed. You have a split circuit ConsumerUnit which will definintely have a detrimental effect on the performane of Powerline devices.

I would advise biting the bullet and installing Ethernet cabling. It's a pain but only has to be done once and once installed you are guaranteed a fast reliable link.

I would go a step further depending on budget and invest in a mesh access point set, using the Ethernet as a wired backhaul. Do ask if you want more advice on this option.

[#12]

Thanks for your advice

I'll have a think.

Probably ethernet outside to garden room and kitchen might be best option. Then what do I put at the other end of the cables though?!

[#13]

If going the cable route. Look at these kits on ebay
https://ebay.us/m/CdYddV

Everything that you need.

[#14]

@GlastonesGoons 

I would always recommend ethernet cable if it's possible as it gives a good starting point at the desired location. As @Baldrick1 stated it only has to be done once and is future proof. Just make sure you use good quality cable.

Brian

[#15]

@GlastonesGoons 

Photo of consumer unit attached

1 = Garden room sockets

2 = Kitchen sockets

3 = Rest of house sockets

Just in passing, from the picture Circuit 3 is not protected by an RCD ! Are you sure that's the rest of house sockets ?

It has CH marked above, which would suggest its the circuit for Central heating supply. Connnecting that via a non-RCD circuit would perhaps be sensible BUT supplying all the other sockets via that is really not a good idea.

[#16]

Photo of consumer unit attached

1 = Garden room sockets

2 = Kitchen sockets

3 = Rest of house sockets

Just in passing, from the picture Circuit 3 is not protected by an RCD ! Are you sure that's the rest of house sockets ?

It has CH marked above, which would suggest its the circuit for Central heating supply. Connnecting that via a non-RCD circuit would perhaps be sensible BUT supplying all the other sockets via that is really not a good idea.