Question 1

How does this unit link to the modem/router?  And do you just plug one end near the router and other end in room you wish to use ethernet connection?

thanks

Jeff

Accepted Answer

I have four of these in my home and so far they've been working pretty good. Each home will be a little different though. From my main computer I have an 11 Mbps connection to two of the three other locations and a 87 Mbps connection to the router. These numbers aren't necessarily static however.

You will need one unit plugged in at your router location and the other units wherever you want network connectivity.

There's a TRENDnet Powerline Utility that allows you to view the device, although I was having some issues when my computer wasn't directly connected to the device. (ie connected through a hub/switch.)

I believe you can use the default "public network" name and sync the devices without the utility. However if you are concerned about someone being able to connect to your power somehow with their own device, you will need the utility to set a private network name on each device you connect.

Question 2

I already have TPL-401E. Is this compatible with TPL-401E ?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is compatible, I happen to own both of these and they operate with no issues. Setup was practically identical to the pair of TPL-401E, these new ones even picked up my custom secret key with absolutely no issues. Highly recommended.

Question 3

I am confused by the discussion of breakers. One person says that the product manual states that the two devices must be on the same breaker. Does that mean that the device will only work for outlets that are run to the same exact circuit breaker in the panel box? My house has separate circuit breakers for each room pretty much. So this won't work for me if I want to go from room to room?

Accepted Answer

I have always gotten a connection no matter what house circuit I use. I even took it out to my shop, which is on a different set of circuits, 100 feet away, and it STILL worked! These are my findings and as always, your mileage may vary....

Question 4

Does anyone know how this compares to the Zyxel PLA4205? I barely get a usable streaming speed out of that and I'm wondering if this would be any better or about the same.

Accepted Answer

I have never used the " Zyxel PLA4205" devices, but I can tell you that I have Powerline 500 Kit going between my media server and my router (Media server is HTPC in my upstairs media room, router is downstairs in office) and I'm able to stream Netflix, hulu, amazon etc fine on the HTPC, and Plex fine everywhere else in the house. The one area I see slow down is when I'm using Steam's home streaming feature, but I think that's more a limitation of the HTPC than these devices (HTPC is an old shuttle with only a 10/100 NIC, and weak video card).

Hope that helps!

Question 5

Is it possible to connect this in one apartment in a building and share the internet with another apartment in the same building.  assuming the signal goes from my outlet back to a breaker panel, will it stop there or go backwards down to the basement meter and then travel to other meters, or in this case the meter of my other apartment and then run the signal there for me to utilize?

Accepted Answer

In the manual it states the the powerline adaptor will not work through breakers.  In my house i have a inlaw apt that has a separate breaker and it works just fine.  
It all depends on the how the breaker is configured.  My breaker controls the power for the apt, thus the breakers have a direct line to eachother.  I think you going from your apt breaker, to the main breaker and then the other apt. I dont think that will work, but im not 100% sure.

Question 6

Am currently using a pair of TLP-406E2K/A adapters and want to add to my system.  Do I need to use the same make and model of adapters for this to work properly?Could I add to my current system or should I create another pairing altogether? 
Current system is working very well.
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tnx

Accepted Answer

Theoretically they will work but I have had a hard time keeping them in sync, they seem to drop out. It maybe the model or make I was using at one end or the other.  I upgraded mine to match and they have worked more consistently and reliably.

Question 7

so let me get this straight, these transfer data through the 115v ac power lines in your home?  is there a maximum distance the data will travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I have 3400 sq ft house and tested the product from one end of the house to the other - no signal degradation.  even connected a 100 ft extension cord into an outside receptacle and works near the pool at full speed.  The power circuit question above really isn't valid - if you don't have a transformer between the two receptacles (this is almost always the case) it will work.

Question 8

Will this work with 220 wiring?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you mean 220V domestic wiring, such as in Europe. I live in Europe and have been using a pair of these for several months with no problems; they're multivoltage, you just need to use a plug adapter to make them fit the electrical sockets.

Question 9

How does these adopters have a 500 Mbps networking from an electrical outlet speed when their Ethernet jacks are only rated at 10/100 Mbps.. So technically the maxim end to end transmission will only be 100Mbps?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: yes, they're limited to 100Mbps

500Mbps is the powerline standard these use (sort of like how 801.11g wifi is 54Mbps).  In reality, those rates will never happen outside of lab conditions.  However, with a 500Mbps theoretical max you're a bit more likely to actually get the full 100Mbps out of the ethernet adapter than you would on a slower powerline standard.  It will really depend a lot on the complexity of your wiring.

Question 10

How can i connect more then one device with one adapter?.

Accepted Answer

I have one module connected to a router LAN port with the 2nd in another building (same utility power circuit) plugged into the WAN port of another router.  The 2nd router is configured just like it's connected directly to the modem and this works fine (take care not to duplicate IP addresses).  A switch should work instead of a 2nd router, as long as the 1st module is plugged into a router to provide addresses.

Let me also mention something that could spare you or others my protracted painful experience.  I heeded the admonition to not plug the module into a power strip (made sense), but had intermittent connection problems for months - very frustrating!  It finally occurred to me that having the module plugged in NEAR a filtered power strip could also attenuate the signal.  I acquired longer Ethernet cables and plugged in across the room (both modules).  I am VERY pleased to say it's been working GREAT ever since.

I hope that helps; good luck!

Questions & Answers