Advice for first time user about Homeplugs

[beech1948]

I need to go through a wall and was considering drilling holes, installing the ethernet cable.

It just occurs to me that a pair of Homeplugs might do it. BUT I know now't about them at all except the problems of the first ones some 10+yrs ago.

I could use wireless but want the extra speed and reliability of Cat5. I do not want to drill holes in my walls really as I have just decorated both rooms/both sides of the wall.

My wiring is from 1965 and seems to be an odd mix of ring main and star shaped wiring.

Will these homeplugs still work if the two devices are on separate rings/stars connections.?

 

[mseries]

I think they will. My Dads house was built in 1961 and he can plug one in downstairs, one up and it works. You might get a degradation in speed if it goes through the consumer unit and this degradation might be too much to bear. Perhaps get some from a supplier who'll take them back without question and try them out. I always prefer an ethernet cable, more secure and simpler.

 

[AndyT]

Go for it. We use them, on a house whose wiring is a blend of some new installation, the old ring main, and spurs that used to go to storage heaters. It all meets up somewhere, and that seems to be enough.

 

[chippy1970]

I just bought a pair of the cheap ones PC world sell and they work perfectly , even up to my workshop.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[NazNomad]

I had a pair (from 7DayShop), one packed up after a few months. However, it was in a chicken coop and it's fairly dusty, so that may have been the cause.

 

[dc_ni]

I had a pair (from 7DayShop), one packed up after a few months. However, it was in a chicken coop and it's fairly dusty, so that may have been the cause.

Giving your chickens internet access :shock:, talk about pampered

 

[Dee J]

Work fine here. Pair of Homeplugs found in a skip (along with a BT hub). One now installed near the broadband box in the house, its mate in an outbuilding via 50m of armoured cable and three intervening dist boards.

 

[NazNomad]

Giving your chickens internet access :shock:, talk about pampered

They insisted they were watching Corn, but I reckon it was a spelling mistake.

 

[petermillard]

...Will these homeplugs still work if the two devices are on separate rings/stars connections.?

In my experience they work *much* better when on the same ring circuit; they make a connection when on different circuits, but operate at a significantly slower speed - way below wifi speeds when I tried it. if speed of connection (rather than just a 'connection') is important, then a direct ethernet cable will be much better, IMHO.

Easy enough to try it, with a (relatively) cheap cable.

HJTH Pete

 

[RogerS]

Just be wary of any nearby radio amateurs as they may well not thank you since these devices have a reputation for screwing up some of the RF bands. You might find an irate radio ham trying to plug your Homeplug where it should not go.

 

[beech1948]

RogerS comment was timely. A neigbour 3 doors away is a radio ham as well as a nice helpful guy. I just went over to chat and asked about Homeplugs.....he went white and then told me of the likely problems it will cause him.....nothing he can't overcome but costly to do so.

A friend who manages a NOC ( Network Operating Centre) for Vodaphone also warned of all of the slow downs likely across the consumer unit and differing wiring rings.

Conclusion is to drill the damn hole and cover with wall plates as a wired 25ft e'net cable will be speedy, simple and cheap (£0)

Thankyou all for your comments and help.

 

[RogerS]

RogerS comment was timely. A neigbour 3 doors away is a radio ham as well as a nice helpful guy. I just went over to chat and asked about Homeplugs.....he went white and then told me of the likely problems it will cause him.....nothing he can't overcome but costly to do so.

...

That's really considerate of you =D> Too many people these days would only think of 'me...me....me'.