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DualityMan's avatar
DualityMan
Aspirant
Feb 25, 2018

Do Powerline Adapters provide ethernet line surge protection?

Hello Community,

Do Powerline adapters (specifically a PLP 1000 model) provide ethernet line surge protection? With the adapter plugged directly into an unprotected outlet, I'd like to know if a surge on the powerline can travel to the Ethernet output port.  If it can then I think I should buy a separate Ethernet surge protector.

 

Thanks for the help.

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3 Replies

  • michaelkenward's avatar
    michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Feb 26, 2018

    If it can then I think I should buy a separate Ethernet surge protector.

     

     

    Netgear specifically states that you should not use Powerline plugs behind surge protectors. As it says in the manual:

     

    "Do not plug your Powerline devices into extension cords, power strips, or surge protectors."

     

    I have used plugs on "dumb" power strips that do not interfere with the mains current. Surge protectors, on the other hand, are there to do just that. Powerline works by adding its own signal to the main circuit. You may find that surge protectors will see your powerline signal as a surge and interfere with that and wreck your Ethernet.

     

    • DualityMan's avatar
      DualityMan
      Aspirant
      Feb 27, 2018

      Hi Michael,

       

      Thanks for responding.  I agree that the adapter should not be plugged into a surge protector.  I have get my PC power from a separate surge protector, so its only connection to the adapter is via the Ethernet cable.  I want to protect my PC from a surge over that Ethernet cable. I'm just wandering if the adapter's Ethernet output port is surge protected. My guess is that it is not given no mention of it in the adapter specs.

      Thanks

      • michaelkenward's avatar
        michaelkenward
        Guru - Experienced User
        Feb 27, 2018

        I find it hard to understand how a mains surge would get down the LAN link. So your question doesn't mean much to me. I don't remember that bit has come up here before.