Power Line Carriers or PLC: Presentation

Firstly, we have to precise that PLC allows you to line machines together (PC, MAC, Linux) as well as other devices like an internet connection, NAS file servers, a USB printer so that it is transformed into a network printer (see the PLC/USB kit from Powerprint), an external hard drive, webcam, games console…

Even if this seems obvious, you should know that you need a recent and certified electrical circuit to be able to reach an optimal speed. There are some elements that can disrupt the network, like low power light bulbs, which brings on a reduction in speed.
Another important point is that you require as many PLC adaptors as devices that you want to link. Some PLC boxes are sold individually, but don’t lose sight of the fact that to start a network you require a kit with at least two adaptors! You also don’t have to worry about using all of your electricity, as a PLC adaptor uses between 3 and 5 Watts in full use, with some models being capable to be automatically put into sleep mode.


Numerous speeds avaliable
There are three binary speeds available with PLC. These are a measure of Mbps (or Mbit/s). The announced speeds vary between 14, 85 and 200 Mbps (HomePlug AV standard) and are theoretic. In practice these are more likely to be speeds in the order of 5.4 Mbps, 12 Mbps and 30 Mbps. PLC offers a maximal speed equivalent to WiFi 802.11g. PLC for the moment has a maximum range of 200 to 300 meters, which is more then enough for a normal house.

In the next two years the theoretical announced speeds will be of the order of 400 Mbit/s (see our news)! This speed will quickly see the transmission of High Definition videos and IPTV (videos or TV via the internet).


The encumbrance of the adaptor!
PLC adaptors are the best product in terms of its size and mess. This isn’t just a small detail as these models mean that when they are connected it isn’t possible to connect anything else to a power board. Ingenious manufacturers like Lea with their NetPlug200+ and NetGear with their HDX111 kit offer vertically designed blocks. This means that plugs can be used in the point next to the PLC. Finally, you should know that there are also PLC adaptors that are designed on a pivot.

As a general rule, manufacturers don’t recommend connecting a PLC to a power board. In fact, in reality, the network works perfectly well although the speed may be slightly reduced. A tip is that you should connect the PLC to a small block of 2 connectors, with one taken by the adaptor, which the other then connects the power board that all other devices can be connected to. This allows you to reduce the electrical problems, increasing your speed.