2 Powerline Connector Questions

1325 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by bobnielsen, Jul 9, 2008

oldengineer

Discussion Starter · Jul 8, 2008

I decided to go the DTV Powerline Connector route for DOD. I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless network. The boxes got here today. I'm a retired layer 2 and below network design engineer so I've got some experience here, but I have 2 questions:

1. One of the adapters will not power up properly unless I remove all other equipment from the outlet. If I plug it into a 2 connecter outlet with something else plugged into the the other connecter the power light will come on for 3 seconds or so and then go out. The other adapter seems to work OK in that I have other circuits connected and it stays on. Do I have a bad adapter?

2. After solving the power problem it connected to the internet automatically. However when I look at the DHCP clients table for the router it doesn't show the ethernet connection as a client. I am currently downloading a program as a test so I'm pretty sure everything is working. WTF?

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gregjones

· #2 · Jul 8, 2008

I have not seen the specific adapters to which you refer but I can give you some general feedback and questions.

1. Is anything between the power adapter and the outlet? A number of people try to put a surge suppressor between the outlet and the adapter. This often filters out the frequencies used for the connection. These adapters are also very sensitive to voltage/wattage. If the location was not wired properly, you might not be getting the correct voltage/wattage if multiple items are used.

2. These devices don't use DHCP because they exist at the physical transport layer. They require no IP address. DHCP is used to deliver IP address, DNS, routing and other settings to endpoints.

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oldengineer

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 8, 2008

gregjones said:
I have not seen the specific adapters to which you refer but I can give you some general feedback and questions.

1. Is anything between the power adapter and the outlet? A number of people try to put a surge suppressor between the outlet and the adapter. This often filters out the frequencies used for the connection. These adapters are also very sensitive to voltage/wattage. If the location was not wired properly, you might not be getting the correct voltage/wattage if multiple items are used.

2. These devices don't use DHCP because they exist at the physical transport layer. They require no IP address. DHCP is used to deliver IP address, DNS, routing and other settings to endpoints.

Thanks for the answers. I understand #2 now. As for #1 both adapters are plugged directly into the wall outlet. When I get a chance I'll swap them and see if the problem stays with the outlet or the adapter. I'll also get out the Fluke meter and check the outlets.

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Stuart Sweet

· #4 · Jul 8, 2008

As for (1.), these powerline adapters work by introducing modulations into the line at a frequency that is undetected by normal AC devices and can travel throughout the copper wire in your home. These modulations are similar to the noise that an improperly grounded appliance or one that generates excess RFI. Try removing equipment one item at a time until you find the offender. I would also suggest testing the outlet for a ground fault, hot neutral, or other wiring problem.

As for (2.), that is correct, the devices themselves have MAC addresses but not IP addresses, similar to how a dumb switch or hub would be on your network.

(edit: didn't see your previous post until I finished this. You clearly have the matter in hand.)

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oldengineer

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 9, 2008

As a quick follow up I took the overly sensitive adapter and tried it in 7 regular and GFI 2 outlet receptacles. The power light stays on OK as long as the adapter is the only device plugged in. However, if I plug in any device, like a lamp turned off, into the other outlet the adapter dies after 2-3 seconds. The order of plugging is irrelevant - if I plug in the adapter before the lamp it fails after the lamp is plugged in, and if I plug the lamp in first the adapter will die 2-3 seconds after plugging it in.

The other adapter is in a receptacle with a power strip plugged into the second outlet. The strip powers my box, TV, receiver, and some lights. This one is rock solid.

Something isn't right here. I'm gonna call Support and get a replacement.

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bobnielsen

· #6 · Jul 9, 2008

Did you try the "good" adapter in the same outlet? It sounds like you got one bad one. I suspect they will replace it without any problem. I use two of the models with the built-in powerstrip and surge protection. They work flawlessly for me.

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oldengineer

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 9, 2008

bobnielsen said:
Did you try the "good" adapter in the same outlet? It sounds like you got one bad one. I suspect they will replace it without any problem. I use two of the models with the built-in powerstrip and surge protection. They work flawlessly for me.

The bad one fails in the receptacle the good one works in. I called DTV last night and told them one was bad. They said they would send a replacement. I looked at my account this morning and I see they're sending two along with 2 return tickets.

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rbean

· #8 · Jul 9, 2008

I was thinking about using these and am wondering if they have a brand name on them. $50 for two of them sounds like a pretty good buy.

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Stuart Sweet

· #9 · Jul 9, 2008

They are DIRECTV branded.

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bobnielsen

· #10 · Jul 9, 2008

The are made by tii network technologies and retail boxed by Directv. I wrote up a short review which has links to the manufacturer's data sheets. They use the Intellon chipset which I believe is used by all HomePlug 1.0 Turbo devices.

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