PLCs are three acronyms that refer to “communication over power lines” and are used to denote a type of device that allows us extend the reach of our internet connection using plugs and the electrical grid of our home.

There is no doubt that this is a significant difference compared to Wi-Fi repeaters, which, as most of our readers know, they wirelessly repeat the signal they receive from the router.

Traditional PLC devices are connected to a router, while repeaters work wirelessly. However, these are not all the differences between these devices, as they have two important things in common plug both into an outlet to get the food they need and which is used to extend our internet connection.

How a PLC works

We need a PLC device to extend our internet connection two units the first will be connected to the router and installed in a socket near it, and the second will go to the socket of the target area, that is, the one where we want to extend our Internet connection. We can connect a console, computer, TV or any other compatible device to this second unit.

The unit connected to the router captures the Internet connection signal and sends it through the electrical network to the other device. The latter receives data from the devices we have connected, and then two-way communication is established through the electrical network between the router and our device, which makes it possible to connect to the Internet.

PLC they are very easy to usesince we only have to connect the main one to the router, plug in the socket, connect the second PLC to the socket in the room where we want to extend the connection, connect the device we want to use, synchronize both PLCs using the included button and that’s it.

It is important to note that there are also PLC device with Wi-Fi repeater functions. These work like a traditional PLC, that is, they use the electrical network to extend the Internet connection, but they allow us to establish both wired and wireless connections and are the best choice in most cases.

Remember that this type of device are sensitive to electrical interference, and that they can degrade signal quality and cause stability and performance issues. Ideally, therefore, you should not connect them to power strips that are shared with other devices, and also be aware that if they are plugged into sockets that belong to two different electrical installations, they will not work. The latter is very important in houses or offices with several floors, which may have different electrical networks.

The advantages that this type of device offers

We already expected the first, and this is it they are very easy to use. They do not require any type of complex configuration and do not present any compatibility issues as they are universal in this sense. However, we have to be careful when choosing the PLC we are going to buy, because each one can have support for different Wi-Fi standards, if it also includes repeater functions, and offer other functions.

Second, we have the advantage inherent in his own way of working. As well as equipment using the electrical grid they can span long distances, overcome obstacles and also sources of wireless interference seamlessly. Thanks to this, they are the ideal solution for expanding our Internet connection even in very complicated situations.

Finally, we have the third advantage, which is very important, and this is they are very cheapand offer great value for money. For example, think about what it might cost you to expand your Internet connection in a large two-story house or a house with two floors and an attic. In these cases, something as simple as a set of two PLCs with a Wi-Fi repeater would allow you to bring your Internet connection to any of these floors effortlessly and with minimal investment.

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