HomePlug VeseNET Powerline PLA-14-E, User Manual, Page: 16 / 59

Q . What factors influence the speed and operation of the HomePlug Ethernet
Bridges?
A.
The Homeplug system is generally, extremely resilient to the vagouries of the
typical houses mains wiring. The main problems with mains networking are random
mains noise. Typical factors that can make mains noise are:
i. Cheap switch mode power supplies. Generally this means the small
plug-in power supplies you get with, for example, mobile phone
chargers, some comms equipment like routers or wireless access
points etc... These are also the same type of supplies you get in
‘energy-saver’ light bulbs (if these are used in ceiling lights you’re
okay but, in desk or standard lamps which plug into the mains
sockets they could be a problem). Try unplugging products from the
wall and see if the PHY rate in the diagnostic utility improves.
ii. Bad connections in the wiring. This can mean poor connections in
the mains in the wall or wall sockets or faults in the plugs for one of
your items of home equipment or actually wiring faults in the house
electrical equipment it’s self. These are the types of faults which can
appear over time (e.g. a wire fixing screw in a mains socket can
come loose) but the equipment plugged into the socket continues
working. These problems are hard to trace but, like above, try
unplugging products from the wall and see if the PHY rate in the
diagnostic utility improves.
Q . Will the HomePlug network work through a second distribution panel (fuse
box/consumer unit)?
A.
Yes. Each consumer unit produces about 10dB drop in signal strength
however the HomePlug network typically has ample signal strength to be able to
cope with this sort of drop.
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