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Digital Crafts - Theme specials
August 2023
Crafts 4.0: A reliable internet connection is essential for businesses. If Wi-Fi is disrupted, a powerline connection can provide a solution.
Many companies are familiar with the problem: On a larger company site, it is difficult to provide a good Wi-Fi signal in every areaIf offices, sales rooms, workshops or warehouses have thick reinforced concrete walls or multiple floors, the radio quality deteriorates considerably. In this case, Powerline (English for "power line") a possible alternative: These handy powerline adapters simply use existing electrical wiring for data transmission. Ideally, they achieve a range of 300 to 500 meters via electrical circuits.
The use of DLAN technology ("Direct Local Area Network") is very simple and works without any manual configuration. The first The Powerline adapter is simply plugged into a free socket and connected to the router via an Ethernet cable. The second adapter must then also be placed in a power outlet – in the room or area where Internet connection is desired. Internet connection via the power grid is then available within a few seconds.
Powerline adapters are available in different versions: Simple models only offer connections via network cable. Much more practical are Adapters that also provide WLAN technologyThis means that a Wi-Fi signal is available in areas that are otherwise not accessible via radio signal, and employees can connect wirelessly to the company's networkAdditional powerline adapters can be added later in other areas. Powerline technology ensures reliable data encryption and, ideally, works across circuit breakers and fuse boxes.
The biggest advantage of Powerline adapters: Unlike WLAN Obstacles such as bulletproof glass, concrete walls or metallic objects have no effect on the transmission speedThe theoretically achievable data rate, depending on the manufacturer, is between 1.200 and 2.400 megabits per secondIn practice, in the best case scenario, only between 350 and 680 Mbit/s remainingThe speed is often affected by old house wiring, excessively long transmission paths, dimmers, or the simultaneous use of electrical devices on the same circuit.
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However, internet via power cable does not work smoothly under all conditions. Powerline technology can interfere with the DSL signal on vectoring (DSL 100) or supervectoring (DSL 250) connectionsThis is mainly due to structural conditions, for example when Telephone and power lines are very close to each otherThis is sometimes the case in older buildings. Outdated electrical installations, electrical boxes, terminal blocks, fuses, residual current devices, or power strips can also significantly slow down the technology.
Whether Powerline really runs smoothly in your own company, Craftsmen should therefore try it out themselvesSince the technology is very easy to install, it does not require a great deal of time. To minimize the financial risk, we recommend Agreement on a right of return in a specialist retailer or an online order – because here buyers benefit from a 14-day right of withdrawal.
1 When purchasing powerline adapters for the first time, we recommend purchasing a set of two devices. This allows for the best possible testing of the technology in operation. Later, the powerline network can be expanded with additional adapters as needed.
2 Powerline works most reliably when only products from one manufacturer are used. If you want to mix adapters from different manufacturers, you should pay attention to the "Homeplug AV22" powerline standard (up to 1.200 Gbps, max. 300 meters) – then the devices should be compatible with each other. The latest powerline adapters from Devolo use the faster Gh.n standard, which enables speeds of up to 2.400 Mbps and ranges of up to 500 meters.
3 Powerline adapters with LAN ports are usually less expensive than devices with additional Wi-Fi functionality. For optimal coverage on company premises, LAN, Wi-Fi, and Powerline networking options can be combined as desired.
4 If power outlets are scarce in your company, there are powerline adapters with pass-through sockets so that no power outlet is lost. The powerline adapters themselves should always be connected directly to a power outlet—and never via a power strip.
5 For high transmission speeds via powerline, the building's electrical wiring must provide grounded outlets and cabling with at least three wires. This is standard in newer buildings, but older buildings often have only two wires.
6 If the internet connection via the power cable is unstable, try other outlets in the same or different rooms. If the router suddenly resynchronizes, it's likely that the powerline technology is interfering with the DSL signal due to structural conditions. In this case, businesses should consider testing other transmission technologies.
For good Internet coverage on your own company premises, the installation of Ethernet cables are always the best and most reliable solutionFor example, access points can be installed at several points (approximately 20 to 6.000 euros) to create a to set up a seamless LAN or WLAN network. Since this solution is often too complex in existing buildings, the installation of a Wi-Fi mesh system with multiple repeaters (approximately 20 to 400 euros) is an alternative to increase the radio range.
Sometimes are too external or replaceable router antennas A good solution (depending on the performance, approximately 30 to 700 euros) that allows for a greater range. If these options do not work in your own company, there is still Ethernet over Coax: This technology existing or new antenna cables used to transmit the internet signal. Similar to Powerline, adapters are required (approximately €100 to €200), which—depending on the model—can also provide a Wi-Fi network on the receiving end.
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