Powerline standards

What do they do?

Powerline adapters plug into your wall sockets and use the electrical wiring between them to transfer data. As an alternative to Wi-fi, they’re particularly useful for large properties with thick walls and other obstacles.

How do they work?

The copper cable in your mains wiring can carry data like Ethernet and telephone cable’s can, and it won’t interfere with your electricity supply. By connecting one adapter to your router via an Ethernet cable, you place the other adapter(s) where you need them around your house. You can then connect devices to these using Ethernet or, if the adapter supports it, Wi-fi. This can deliver broadband to the furthest reaches of your house, even across multiple floors.

What are their specs?

When buying powerline adapters, the best option is to buy all the units you need in one go, making sure they’re the same type from the same manufacturer. Look out for options from brands such as Devolo (www.devolo.co.uk), Tp-link (www.tp-link.com, pictured), Netgear (www.netgear.com) and Tenda (www. tendacn.com).

You can mix and match some makes and models, but not all are compatible with each other. Check your manual or product details online to find out if your existing units are AV1, AV2 or G.HN compatible. AV2 units will work with AV1, but will default to AV1’S slower speeds. G.HN devices are faster again, but aren’t compatible with either of the AV standards.

Can I change them later?

Individual plugs can’t be upgraded, but if you have older AV1 units, you can still use them in an AV2 network – albeit at slower speeds.