HomePlug® networking uses power lines to create home computer networks without additional cables or wireless signals. It has a connection speed of around half of wireless networks and can travel up to 328 feet. HomePlug® devices are compatible with each other, but may be subject to interference and present a small security risk. The technology can also be applied to transmit broadband internet signals over power lines.
HomePlug® networking is a way to carry data over a power line such as a home power grid. Its most common use is to create home computer networks without the need for additional cables or wireless signals. HomePlug® itself is a trademark and industry standard name for the system.
When using HomePlug® networking, you should be able to route data signals between any two power outlets that are connected to the same electricity meter. In practice, the connection speed is around half of that achieved by a wireless network. This should be sufficient for most home Internet use. A HomePlug® signal should be able to travel up to 328 feet (100 meters) without degrading, so it will be adequate for virtually all homes.
About 70 companies are members of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, a trade group that promotes products under the HomePlug brand. The companies also use an agreed set of standards. This means that all products marked as HomePlug® will be compatible with each other.
There are a few factors that can limit the HomePlug® network. The signal may be subject to interference from some devices such as surge protectors. For this reason it is usually best to only use HomePlug® devices by plugging them directly into an outlet rather than via an extension cord or multi-socket adapter. Homes in the United States that use the split phase power system may not be able to use the HomePlug® network throughout the building.
Data sent over the HomePlug® network presents a small but significant security risk. This is because the signal can pass outside the confines of the affected building. To protect against this, HomePlug® equipment will encrypt your data by default. However, there is usually no danger that a neighbor could intercept your data simply by using their HomePlug® equipment.
The concepts and technology used by the HomePlug® network can be applied to other forms of data transmission. For example, it is theoretically possible to transmit broadband Internet signals over power lines to a house. Where it works, a user simply plugs a suitable modem between a computer and a standard power outlet to get an Internet connection. In practice there are several interference problems which make this system difficult to use reliably.
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