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HD-PLC Ethernet Adaptor Starter Pack
Table of Contents
Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .........................................................4
Disposal information ........................................................................................5
Electrical environment information...................................................................6
Security information .........................................................................................7
Security notices for when sending an adaptor for service ...............................7
How does it work?............................................................................................8
Main unit ..........................................................................................................9
Installation
Placing the adaptors ......................................................................................10
Connecting adaptors to network devices .......................................................11
Useful Information
Testing a terminal’s network speed ...............................................................12
Understanding the indicators .........................................................................13
Resetting an adaptor .....................................................................................14
Registration....................................................................................................15
Troubleshooting..............................................................................................16
Specifications.................................................................................................18
Operating Instructions
Power Line Communication
Model No.
Set of 2 Adaptors (Master and Terminal)
BL-PA100KT
IMPORTANT NOTES:
For best results, connect this product directly to a wall outlet.
This product may not function normally in certain electrical environments.
See page 6 for more information.
Please read this document before use and save this document for future reference.
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Introduction
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Panasonic HD-PLC product.
Main features
Flexible and stable network access anywhere in your home
The BL-PA100 offers the next generation in home networking: high-speed power
line communication. High-speed internet access and high performance data
transfers are now available in any room.
Every AC outlet becomes a home network access point
Because HD-PLC technology makes use of the existing electrical wiring in your
home, there’s no need to run cables between rooms.
Easy to expand
Up to 16 adaptors in all can be used, which means you can add additional adaptors
whenever you need to add a network connection in another room of the house.
Simple network speed testing
You can confirm the speed of each adaptor's HD-PLC connection by simply
pressing a button.
Fast, reliable, and secure
*1
With speeds of up to 190 Mbps (PHY rate)
128-bit encryption, the BL-PA100 provides peace of mind at the speed of light.
, advanced error correction, and AES
For more information about how HD-PLC works, see page 8.
*1
This is the theoretical maximum data transmission speed of the HD-PLC standard. The actual
maximum data transmission speed is about 70 Mbps for UDP and 42 Mbps for TCP. Results
may vary depending on electrical conditions, network environment, and other factors. See the
specifications for more information.
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Included items
Confirm that the following items are included with this product.
Introduction
HD-PLC Ethernet Adaptor ............... 2
(1 Master and 1 Terminal)
- Important Information ..................... 1
- Getting Started ............................... 1
AC Cord ............................................. 2
Order No.: PSJA1106Z
- CD-ROM ......................................... 1
Available accessories
You can add additional adaptors as necessary. Up to 16 adaptors in all (including
the 2 adaptors included with this product) can be used.
BL-PA100 (Add-on Adaptor)
Abbreviations
• This product is referred to as “the adaptor” in this document.
Trademarks
•Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other
countries.
• All other trademarks identified herein are the property of their respective
owners.
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Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using this product, basic safety precautions should always be followed to
reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or personal injury.
1. Read and understand all instructions. Keep this document for future
reference.
2. Follow all instructions in this document and heed all warnings.
3. Do not install this product near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other devices (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
4. Protect the AC cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from this product.
5. The AC cord is used as the main disconnect device. Ensure that the AC outlet
is located/installed near the product and is easily accessible.
6. Use only the included AC cord.
7. The AC cord must remain connected at all times. (It is normal for this product
to feel warm during use.)
8. To prevent the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this product to rain
or any type of moisture.
9. Do not touch the product or the AC cord during lightning storms.
10. Unplug this product when unused for a long period of time.
11. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when
the unit has been damaged in any way, such as when the AC cord or plug is
damaged, the unit does not operate normally, or after the unit has been
dropped.
12. Do not use this product outdoors.
13. Unplug this unit from power outlets if it emits smoke, an abnormal smell or
makes unusual noise. These conditions can cause fire or electric shock.
Confirm that smoke has stopped and contact an authorised service centre.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
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Introduction
y
T
Disposal information
Information on Disposal for Users of Waste Electrical &
Electronic Equipment (private households)
This symbol on the products and/or accompanying documents
means that used electrical and electronic products should not be
mixed with general household waste.
For proper treatment, recovery and recycling, please take these
products to designated collection points, where they will be
accepted on a free of charge basis. Alternatively, in some
countries you may be able to return your products to your local
retailer upon the purchase of an equivalent new product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help to save valuable resources and
prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the
environment which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste
handling. Please contact your local authority for further details of your
nearest designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in
accordance with national legislation.
For business users in the European Union
If you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment, please contact
our dealer or supplier for further information.
Information on Disposal in other Countries outside the
European Union
his symbol is only valid in the European Union.
If you wish to discard this product, please contact your local authorities or
dealer and ask for the correct method of disposal.
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Introduction
Electrical environment information
HD-PLC adaptors communicate with each other using the existing electrical wiring
in your home, and may be affected by electrical noise or the length of your home’s
wiring. Keep the following in mind when placing each adaptor.
AC outlets
For best results, we recommend connecting the adaptors directly to a wall outlet.
Avoid connecting high power-consuming appliances to the same wall outlet.
Additionally, connecting an adaptor to a uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or
backup power supply device is not recommended.
While connecting the adaptors to a wall outlet is recommended, keep the following
in mind if you must connect an adaptor to a power strip:
• Make sure the power strip does not have a noise filter or a surge protector,
as these features may interfere with the performance of your adaptors.
• Do not connect the adaptor to a power strip that receives power from
another power strip.
• Use a power strip with an AC cord that is as short as possible.
Electrical interference
Certain electrical devices emit electrical noise. If this noise is passed on to the
electrical wiring in your home, it may interfere with the performance, speed, and
reliability of your adaptors. For best results, we recommend connecting an
electrical noise filter to noise emitting appliances.
The following appliances are more likely to produce noise:
• Battery chargers (including cell phone chargers)
• Hair dryers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Lights or lamps which have a dimmer switch or a touch-sensitive on/off feature
• Power drills
Additionally, this product may interfere with the following appliances:
• Short wave radios
• Lights or lamps which have a touch-sensitive on/off feature
Electrical wiring
HD-PLC adaptors communicate with each other using the existing electrical wiring
in your home. If 2 wall outlets are separated by a great length of electrical wiring,
the adaptors connected to those outlets may not be able to communicate with each
other.
For more information, refer to the troubleshooting section (see page 16) or access
the Panasonic PLC Support Site at: http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/plc/
After you have placed the adaptors where you plan to use them and plugged them
into the wall outlets, test the terminal’s network speed (see page 12).
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Introduction
Security information
1. With any network connection, security is a concern. This product provides
security to prevent unauthorised access to your network.
• Only terminals that are registered to the master adaptor can
communicate with the network.
• A terminal may be registered to the master only if the SETUP buttons
on the master and terminal are pressed within 5 seconds of each other.
2. Data sent and received over the HD-PLC network employs AES 128-bit
encryption, however we cannot guarantee that data will not be intercepted by
a third party.
3. For security, reset your adaptors (see page 14) in the following situations.
• If you are concerned that another adaptor may have been accidentally
registered to your master (for example, the adaptor of someone who
lives in the same apartment building as you), reset each of your
adaptors and register them again.
• If you discard an adaptor, give an adaptor to someone else to use, or
send an adaptor for servicing, reset the adaptor first.
• If you lose an adaptor, reset your remaining adaptors and register them
again.
Security notices for when sending an adaptor for service
Please note the following when sending an adaptor for servicing.
• Reset the adaptor before sending it for servicing.
• After your master adaptor is serviced, you must register all your
terminals to the master again.
• After a terminal adaptor is serviced, you must register the terminal to the
master again.
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Introduction
How does it work?
Each HD-PLC adaptor has an AC cord that plugs into a wall outlet. This connection
not only powers the adaptor, but also allows the adaptor to communicate with the
other adaptors in your home using your existing electrical wiring. Each adaptor also
has a LAN jack, which connects each adaptor to your broadband router, hub,
computer, network printer, network camera, etc.
Once your adaptors are registered, simply plug them into the wall outlets around
your home. (The included adaptors are already registered. To register additional
adaptors, see page 15.) Finally, connect the master adaptor to your broadband
internet router or modem, and then connect the other adaptors to your network
devices (computers, network printers, network cameras, etc.). When you’re
finished, your network devices will be able to access the internet as well as each
other.
Example of an integrated HD-PLC network
Network camera
Hub
(Add-on adaptor)
PC
Network printer
PC
Wall outlet
Terminal
Wall outlet
INTERNET
Terminal
Wall outlet
Master
Router
Modem
Master and terminal adaptors
Before using your adaptors, it is important to understand the concept of a “master”
adaptor and a “terminal” adaptor.
An HD-PLC network contains at least 2 adaptors. One (and only one) adaptor
must be configured as the master. All other adaptors are configured as
terminals. (A maximum of 15 terminals per network is recommended.) An adaptor
is configured as either a master or a terminal during registration (see page 15). For
simplicity, we recommend configuring the adaptor that is directly connected to one
of your router’s LAN ports as the master.
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Main unit
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(1) MASTER Seal (master adaptor only)
Indicates which adaptor is pre-configured as the master adaptor.
(2) PLC Indicator
Lights to indicate that the adaptor is connected to the HD-PLC network. For
more information, see page 13.
(3) LAN Indicator
Lights when a LAN cable is connected to the adaptor, and flashes when
data is being sent or received. For more information, see page 13.
(4) MASTER Indicator
Lights when the adaptor is configured as the master. For more information,
see page 13.
(5) SETUP Button
Used to register the adaptor (see page 15) or test the terminal’s network
speed (see page 12).
(6) Mode Selector
The position of this selector during registration (see page 15) determines
whether the adaptor is configured as the master or as a terminal.
(7) AC IN
Connects the adaptor to AC power as well as to the HD-PLC network.
Introduction
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(8) FACTORY DEFAULT RESET Button
Used to reset the adaptor and erase its registration (see page 14).
(9) LAN Jack
Connects the adaptor to a network device, such as a broadband router, hub,
computer, etc. (see page 11).
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Installation
Installation
Placing the adaptors
Refer to the information on page 6 when selecting a location to place your
adaptors.
Note
• If you have purchased additional adaptors, make sure you have registered
them to the master (see page 15) before placing them where you plan to use
them.
1. Connect the AC cord of each adaptor to a wall outlet near where you plan to
use it.
2. Confirm that the PLC indicator of each adaptor lights in blue when you plug
the adaptors into the wall outlets.
•If the PLC indicators do not light in blue, see page 16.
After you have placed the adaptors where you plan to use them and plugged them
into the wall outlets, test the terminal’s network speed (see page 12).
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Installation
Connecting adaptors to network devices
Once you have placed the adaptors where you plan to use them and are satisfied
with the network speed test results for your terminals (see page 12), follow the
procedure below to connect your adaptors to your network devices (broadband
router, hub, computer, network printer, network camera, etc.). This will integrate
your HD-PLC network with your home network.
1. Confirm that each adaptor’s AC cord is connected to the adaptor and plugged
into a wall outlet.
2. Connect a LAN cable (sold separately) to each adaptor’s LAN jack.
To wall outlet
To network device
•The LAN indicator of each adaptor turns green.
• If an adaptor’s LAN indicator does not turn green, see page 16.
3. Connect the other end of each LAN cable to a network device.
• Avoid connecting more than one adaptor to the same hub or router.
• Refer to the illustration on page 8 for an example of an integrated
HD-PLC network.
You are now ready to use your computers, network printers, network cameras, etc.
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Useful Information
Useful Information
Testing a terminal’s network speed
Once you have connected the adaptors where you plan to use them, follow the
procedure below to test the speed of each terminal’s network connection to the
master. Make sure that the terminal has already been registered to a master (see
page 15).
1. Press and hold the terminal’s SETUP button for about 1 second.
• The indicators light one at a time.
2. After a few seconds, the network speed test result is displayed.
3. Refer to the chart below to determine the network speed.
PLC
LAN
MASTER
Network
speed
No link Good
Less than
10 Mbps
Better
*1
10 Mbps to
30 Mbps
*1
Best
More than
30 Mbps
*1
*1 Approximate data transmission speed when transmitting data using the UDP protocol.
4. If you are not satisfied with the speed test result, connect the terminal to a
different wall outlet and repeat the test.
Note
• At least one indicator (“Good” network speed) must be lit in order to use the
terminal.
• If you are not satisfied with the speed test result and have tried connecting the
terminal to different wall outlets, refer to the troubleshooting section (see
page 16).
• If the electrical conditions in your home change, network speed may also
change.
Once you are satisfied with the terminal’s speed test result, you are ready to
connect each adaptor to a network device (broadband router, hub, computer,
network printer, network camera, etc.; see page 11).
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Understanding the indicators
Useful Information
PLC Blue, lit The adaptor is successfully connected to the
Blue, flashing The terminal is being registered to the master.
Blue, flashes
once every 5
seconds
Blue, turns off
once every 10
seconds
Red, lit for 5
seconds
Red, lit The adaptor is not functioning properly and
Off The adaptor is not plugged in.
LAN Green, lit A LAN cable is connected to the adaptor.
Green, flashing Data is being sent/received.
Orange, lit There is no network device connected to the
Off The adaptor is not plugged in.
MASTER Green, lit The adaptor is configured as the master.
HD-PLC network.
The adaptor is registered to the master, but it is
not connected to the HD-PLC network.
The master has detected another master
adaptor. In this situation, performance will be
affected by the presence of the other master
adaptor.
There was an error during registration. Try again.
cannot communicate over the HD-PLC network.
Contact an authorised Panasonic service centre.
The adaptor is not connected to the HD-PLC
network (no other adaptors found, not configured,
etc.).
adaptor via the LAN cable, or the network device
is not turned on.
Green, flashes
for 10 seconds
Off The adaptor is not configured as the master.
A terminal has been successfully registered to
the master.
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Useful Information
Resetting an adaptor
Normally an adaptor does not need to be reset, however, you may need to reset an
adaptor if:
• You are concerned that another adaptor may have been accidentally
registered to your master. (For example, the adaptor of someone who lives
in the same apartment building as you.)
• An error occurs while registering a terminal to the master.
• You are registering an adaptor.
Note
• Resetting a terminal erases its registration to the master. It must be registered
to the master again in order to be used.
• If the master is reset, all terminals must be registered to the master again in
order to be used.
Follow the procedure below to reset an adaptor.
1. Press the FACTORY DEFAULT RESET button on the adaptor for about 3
seconds.
• The adaptor’s indicators will begin flashing.
2. Once the adaptor’s indicators stop flashing, the adaptor has been reset.
• Do not disconnect or unplug the AC cord for 30 seconds.
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Useful Information
Registration
Follow the procedure below when you want to:
• Add an additional terminal to your HD-PLC network.
• Re-register the master and terminal after resetting the master.
1. Confirm that the mode selector of the master adaptor is set to MASTER.
2. Confirm that the mode selector of the terminal adaptor that you want to
register is set to TERMINAL.
3. Connect the AC cord of each adaptor to each adaptor’s AC IN jack.
4. Plug the AC cord of each adaptor to the same wall outlet.
• Registration may not be successful if the adaptors are connected to
different wall outlets during registration.
5. Reset the terminal by pressing the FACTORY DEFAULT RESET button on the
terminal for about 3 seconds (see page 14).
• Check the position of the adaptor’s mode selector (see page 9) and
make sure that you reset the terminal adaptor (not the master).
6. Press the SETUP button on both adaptors for about 1 second. The order in
which they are pressed does not matter.
•The PLC indicator of each adaptor will begin to flash in blue.
• Make sure you press the SETUP button on each adaptor within 5
seconds of each other.
• While registering an additional terminal, communication between all
other adaptors may be disrupted for about 10 seconds.
7. When the PLC indicator of each adaptor lights in blue, registration was
successful.
•If the PLC indicators do not light in blue, see page 16.
8. Wait 30 seconds, then unplug the AC cords from the wall outlet and place the
adaptors where you plan to use them (see page 10).
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Useful Information
Troubleshooting
Performance issues
The troubleshooting notes in this section are provided to resolve the following types
of performance issues.
• Inability to transmit data over the HD-PLC network
• Slow data transmission speeds (interrupted video or audio, slow download
speeds, etc.)
• Intermittent or varied performance (faster at certain times, slower at others)
• Interference caused by an adaptor
•The PLC indicator is not lit in blue even though you have registered the
adaptor.
Troubleshooting notes
In most cases, performance issues such as those listed above can be resolved by
performing the following troubleshooting notes. Each note contains several steps.
After you perform each step, test the terminal’s network speed (see page 12) to
see if the issue has been resolved. For more information, access the Panasonic
PLC Support Site at: http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/plc/
Troubleshooting note #1:
Adaptor issues
Perform each step until the performance issue is solved.
1. Confirm that the AC cords of both the master and terminal adaptor are
connected to the wall outlet. If an adaptor’s LAN indicator is not lit, the adaptor
is not receiving power.
2. Confirm that all LAN cables are securely connected to each adaptor. Use
high-quality LAN cables. Also confirm that other network devices (routers,
hubs, etc.) are turned on as well as properly connected and configured.
3. Disconnect the AC cord from the master and/or terminal adaptor, then
connect it again to restart the adaptor.
4. Try connecting the master and/or terminal adaptor to a different wall outlet.
5. If you are not able to connect an adaptor’s AC cord directly to a wall outlet and
must use a power strip, make sure the power strip is plugged directly into a
wall outlet and not to another power strip.
6. Make sure the power strip does not have a noise filter or a surge protector, as
these features may interfere with the performance of your adaptors.
7. Use a power strip with an AC cord that is as short as possible.
8. Re-register the terminal following the procedure on page 15.
If the performance issue is not solved, continue to the next troubleshooting note.
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Useful Information
Troubleshooting note #2:
Eliminating interference caused by other appliances
Perform each step until the performance issue is solved.
1. Identify potential electrical noise emitting appliances, and unplug them (if
possible) briefly while you test the adaptor’s network speed.
The following appliances are more likely to produce noise:
• Battery chargers (including cell phone chargers)
• Hair dryers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Lights or lamps which have a dimmer switch or a touch-sensitive on/off
feature
• Power drills
2. If unplugging a device seems to resolve the adaptor’s performance issue,
connect the device to a different wall outlet.
3. If connecting the device to a different wall outlet does not resolve the
performance issue, connect the device to a noise filtering power strip with an
AC cord that is at least 3 m long.
Troubleshooting note #3:
Eliminating interference caused by an adaptor
This product may interfere with the following appliances:
• Short wave radios
• Lights or lamps which have a touch-sensitive on/off feature
• Other PLC adaptors which do not use the HD-PLC standard
Perform each step until the performance issue is solved. If the following steps do
not resolve the issue, refer to the Panasonic PLC Support Site at:
http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/plc/
1. Make sure that the appliance is not plugged into the same wall outlet as an
adaptor.
2. Move the appliance away from any nearby adaptors.
3. Connect the appliance to a power strip.
4. For short wave radios, place the radio near a window.
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Useful Information
Specifications
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Power Line Communication interface
Standard HD-PLC
Actual transmission
*1
speed
Maximum recommended
no. of adaptors per
network
*3
Maximum recommended
no. of devices connected to
each adaptor
*1 Results may vary depending on electrical conditions, network environment, and other
factors. For information on how transmission speed is measured, access the Panasonic
PLC Support Site at: http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/plc/
*2 Using Linux FTP.
*3 Performance may be affected as more adaptors are added to the network.
*4 Connecting more network devices to an adaptor may increase network traffic and affect
performance.
*4
UDP: Max. 70 Mbps
*2
TCP
: Max. 42 Mbps
16 (including the master)
8
LAN interface
Standard IEEE 802.3/IEEE 802.3u
Interface 10 Base-T
100 Base-TX
Auto MDI/MDI-X
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP
Access method CSMA/CD
User interface
Indicators PLC (blue, red)
LAN (green, orange)
MASTER (green)
Other Mode Selector (MASTER or TERMINAL switch)
SETUP button
FAC TORY DEFAU LT RESET button
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General
Operational environment 0–40 °C
20%–85% humidity (without condensation)
Dimensions (W x D x H) Approx. 121 mm x 40 mm x 70 mm
Weight 240 g
Power supply Input 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption 4 W
HD-PLC interface
Frequency band 4–28 MHz
Modulation Wavelet OFDM (16 PAM–2 PAM)
Transmission PHY rate
Max. 190 Mbps
Access method CSMA/CA
TDMA
Error correction Reed-Solomon encoder/decoder
Convolutional encoder/Viterbi decoder
Encryption AES 128-bit encryption
Communication distance
Approx. 150 m
*1
*2
Useful Information
*1 This is the theoretical maximum data transmission speed of the HD-PLC standard.
*2 Varies depending on the electrical environment. For more information, see page 6.
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The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
1-62, 4-chome, Minoshima, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-8531, Japan
Copyright:
This material is copyrighted by Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., and may be reproduced
for internal use only. All other reproduction, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the written
consent of Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.
2006
Panasonic Communications
Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
PQQX15024ZA
KK0606CH0
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