WiFi technology has truly revolutionized the world, especially for all portable devices, since we can now connect them to the Internet, without the clutter of cables and wires. The problem with WiFi is that in large houses and those with thick walls the wireless signal may not arrive, preventing us from using our fast line.
But we have at least three excellent solutions to extend the signal to all rooms: we can use another router as an access point and repeater, use a dedicated wireless repeater or use Powerline adapters on the electrical network.
The latter solution is the best to adopt if we do not want to add other radiation to those already present in daily life, since it allows you to connect devices away from the modem to the Internet even if, for its use, it is important to know some fundamental things.
We discover in this guide all the strengths and weaknesses of Powerline technology, so that we can carefully evaluate whether or not to use it at home.
READ ALSO -> 10 ways to amplify your home Wi-Fi and extend wireless reception
Advantages of the Powerline
Let's start immediately by illustrating the advantages of this technology, also compared to WiFi and other solutions.
1) Internet via the electrical outlet
You probably know this already but it is worth repeating because for some it can be science fiction.
Using Powerline means avoiding opening the wall to allow network cables to pass, exploiting the electrical outlets already present in the house for connection: the two Powerlines will use dedicated frequencies to communicate with each other through the electrical cables, thus placing communicating a device present in a room to the other device present near the Internet modem.
The Powerline plugs into normal household electrical outlets and configure themselves: to be able to exploit them, simply connect Ethernet cables to them (one to connect the device, the other to connect the modem).
The only real limit is related to the electrical configuration of the house: the Powerlines work correctly only if we use two sockets connected to the same electric meter (if the sockets respond to two different meters, they will never work).
2) Simple connection within everyone's reach
Any network to a modem from which the cables depart or which provide wireless signal.
Powerline devices are not an alternative to the router but only a different way to connect devices to that router via cable, they can therefore be seen as extensions of network cables.
Precisely for this reason Powerline devices require almost no configuration and are designed to be ready for use.
Simply connect them to electrical outlets, connect the Ethernet cables and you are ready to surf the Internet or exchange data with other devices on the home network.
Some adapters include security features to keep the network private and protected from the outside or to immediately associate other Powerlines: in that case you need to consult the configuration instructions in the manual, even if sometimes it is sufficient to press a button dedicated to pairing up both devices to be paired to make the connection.
One of the best starting kits to take advantage of Powerline is available here -> TP-Link TL-PA4010 Powerline Kit, AV600 (36 €).
3) High transmission speed (in ideal conditions)
The transfer speeds through the electrical cables present in the home are very variable, but the standards used offer speeds that start from 500 Mbps up to 1200 Mbps.
Obviously these are estimated values in ideal conditions: new electrical cables, new electrical outlets and no other device that uses the Powerline frequencies: on paper in the best conditions the real 100-150 Mbps is exceeded without problems .
4) Secure connection
Our neighbor will not be able to scrounge the Internet from us using Powerline because the electrical circuit of our house is separate from his.
However, since there may be particular crossings, it may also be successful (perhaps scrobbling some data via illegal electrical connection) and this is why Powerline devices offer data encryption .
So nobody can know what we do and where we navigate on the PC by intercepting the signal of the Powerline that travels on the electrical network: the data is encrypted and cannot be accessed except by authorized Powerlines (which we added during pairing).
5) We can also use the Powerline with wireless module
Some Powerline models are able to create a new WiFi network at the connection point, creating a new signal that will be managed by the adapter and sent to the other Powerline connected to the modem, in a completely automatic way.
In this way we can bring WiFi anywhere in the house using the electrical network as a connection, but remember that the maximum transfer speed will always be tied to the Powerline protocol and not to the WiFi one (if we have a 600 Mbps WiFi and a Powerline that runs at 100 Mbps, the Internet connection will travel on the latter value).
If we are looking for a Powerline with wireless module, we take a look at the model present here -> TP-Link TL-WPA4220 Powerline WiFi Kit, AV600 (€ 43).
Defects of the Powerline
After having seen the merits of the Powerline, we must absolutely know also the defects, which in some cases can be so serious as to make us desist from the purchase of these devices.
1) Dependent on the quality of the electrical system
Leafing through the reviews of the various Powerline models on sale on Amazon you can discover some complaints related to the low transmission speed for the connected device.
In some cases, this may depend on a defective device, in others it depends on old electrical cables, old electrical sockets, interference with other electrical devices or because the two plugs to which the two adapters are connected are too far apart ( we recommend not to exceed 25 meters between one socket and another).
Even with the most recent protocols there may be interference and transmission errors, which cause the transfer rate to drop to 20-30 Mbps or less .
Fortunately, all Powerlines offer a control light with which we can check if the speed is adequate: if the light is green, the speed is good; if it is yellow or worse red, we have problems and the transmission speed will be slow.
There are rare cases where the Powerlines do not work well for some peculiarities of the electricity network (old alarms and bells): in this case, the problem should be addressed with an electrician.
If we want very powerful Powerlines, able to work well even on difficult electrical networks, we recommend spending a little more and taking the Kit here -> AVM FRITZ! Powerline 1240E / 1000E WLAN (€ 121).
2) Pure connections only
Sometimes the Powerlines do not work if connected to the electrical outlet where there is a multiplier or a power strip; for the best possible connection, the devices must be inserted directly into the wall socket.
Obviously, connecting them directly will "lose" that electrical outlet, which can no longer be used by other devices.
Fortunately, Powerline Plug-ins are on the market, which allow you to keep the electrical socket via the socket integrated in their body; these Powerlines can both manage the Powerline signal and supply electricity like any other socket (with the warning never to exceed 1500W of power).
If we do not want to lose the electrical outlet to which we connect the Powerline, we can use the kit present here -> TP-LINK TL-PA4020P KIT Nano Powerline AV600 (58 €).
3) Powerlines of different brands may not work
In theory these devices are all the same and use standardized protocols (therefore on paper compatible with each other), but sometimes those of different brands are not compatible especially when it comes to encryption (which is one of the advantages of this technology).
Better to always buy Powerline of the same brand, especially if we want to increase the Powerline devices to be used at home.
READ ALSO: Powerline or WiFi: which technology is better
