Panasonic BL-PA300KTA User Manual
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
MASTER
LAN
PLC
SETUP
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
MASTER
LAN
PLC
SETUP
Operating Instructions
PLC Adaptor Starter Pack
Power Line Communication
Model No.
BL-PA300KTA
Set of 2 Adaptors (Master and Terminal)
Operating Instructions .......................................................... 2
Instrucciones de operación................................................. 31
Limited warranty..................................................................... 59
Customer services ................................................................. 61
Table of Contents
Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ......... ... ... ........................6
Electrical environment information.................................................7
Security information.......................................................................9
Security notices for when sending an adaptor for service...........10
How does it work?.......................................................................11
Main unit......................... .............................................................13
Installation
Placing the adaptors....................................................................15
Power Save Mode .......................................................................15
Connecting adaptors to network devices.....................................16
Useful Information
Testing a terminal’s network speed.............................................17
Understanding the indicators.......................................................19
Resetting an adaptor ...................................................................20
Registration..................................................................................21
Troubleshooting ...........................................................................23
Specifications...............................................................................26
Adaptor Maintenance Screen......................................................28
FCC and other information..........................................................29
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 7 for more information.
Please read this document before use and save this document for future reference.
Introduction
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Panasonic HD-PLC product.
Main features
Flexible and stable network access anywhere in your home
The BL-PA300A offers the next generation in home networking: High
Definition Power Line Communication (HD-PLC). High-speed network
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
With speeds of up to 210 Mbps (PHY rate)
AES 128-bit encryption, the BL-PA300A provides peace of mind at the
speed of light.
Power Save Mode
The BL-P A300A in normal operation has power consumption of around 3 W,
however, if a terminal’s LAN port is inactive for more than 20 minutes, the
adaptor automatically enters Power Sav e mode, and pow er consumption is
reduced to less than 1 W.
*1
, advanced error correction, and
For more information about how HD-PLC works, see page 11.
*1
This is the theoretical maximum data transmission speed of the HD-PLC standard.
The actual maximum data transmission speed is about 90 Mbps for UDP and 65 Mbps
for TCP. Results may vary depending on electrical conditions, network environment,
and other factors. See the specifications for more information.
3[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
Included items
Confirm that the following items are included with this product.
Additional items can be ordered by calling 1-800-332-5368.
PLC Adaptor................................2
(1 Master and 1 Terminal)
A300
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
LAN
PLC
SETUP
P
BL-
HD-PLC
MASTER
MASTER
LAN
PLC
SETUP
LAN Cable....................................2
Order No.: PQJA10138Z
Getting Started.............................1 Operating Instructions
(this document).............................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-PA300A (PLC Adaptor Add-on
Unit)
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
MASTER
LAN
PLC
SETUP
BL-PA100A (PLC Adaptor Add-on
Unit)
Abbreviations
• This product is referred to as “the adaptor” in this document.
4
Introduction
Trademarks
•Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus T orvalds in the U.S. and other
countries.
• HD-PLC or HD-PLC mark is a registered trademark or trademark of
Panasonic Corporation in Japan and in other countries.
• All other trademarks identified herein are the property of their respective
owners.
5[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using this product, basic safety precautions should always be follow ed
to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or personal injury.
1. Read and understand all instructions. Keep this document for future
reference.
2. Follo w 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. This product is used as the main disconnect device. Ensure that the AC
outlet is installed near this product and is easily accessible.
5. The adaptor must remain connected at all times.
6. To prevent the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this product
to rain or any type of moisture, and do not plug it in upside-down (i.e.,
with the LAN jack pointing up).
7. Do not touch the product during lightning storms.
8. Unplug this product when unused for a long period of time.
9. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the unit does not operate normally, has been damaged in any
way, or after the unit has been dropped.
10. Do not use this product outdoors.
11. 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 authorized
service center.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
6
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 follo wing 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 uninterruptable 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 electri cal 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 pho ne chargers)
• AC adaptors (including AC adaptors for modems, routers, notebook
computers, etc.)
• 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
• Wireless devices (including wireless mice, etc.)
7[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
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 23) 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 17).
8
Introduction
Security information
1. With any network connection, security is a concern. The BL-PA300A
provides security to prevent unauthorized 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 3 seconds
of each other.
2. Data sent and received over the HD-PLC network emplo ys 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 20) 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 y our remaining adaptors and register
them again.
4. The adaptor does not have a firewall feature. To prevent unauthorized
external access to the network, we recommend performing the
following steps.
• Setup security measures for the router and computers accessing
the network.
• Change the default password on the Adaptor Maintenance
Screen.
Refer to the Panasonic PLC Support Site
(http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/plc/) for information
about changing the default password.
9[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
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.
10
Introduction
How does it work?
PLC adaptors allow you to create a home network without installing LAN
connection points or wireless routers. They connect to the wall outlets in
your home, and communicate with each other using your home’s existing
electrical wiring. By connecting a network device (such as your broadband
router, hub, computer, network printer, or network camera) to the LAN jack
of each adaptor, you can create a home netw ork that li nks all the network
devices connected to the adaptors.
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 21.) Finall y, 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
INTERNET
Wall outlet
Terminal
Master
Router
Modem
Network camera
Network printer
Hub
PC
Wall outletWall outlet
Terminal
(PLC Adaptor
Add-on Unit)
PC
11[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
Note
• Only connect the adaptor to a switching hub (repeater hubs cannot be
used).
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 21). For simplicity, we recommend configuring
the adaptor that is directly connected to one of your router’s LAN ports as
the master.
12
Main unit
(1) PLC Indicator
Lights to indicate that the adaptor is connected to the HD-PLC
network. For more information, see page 19.
(2) 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 19.
(3) MASTER Indicator
Lights when the adaptor is configured as the master. For more
information, see page 19.
(4) SETUP Button
Used to register the adaptor (see page 21) or test the terminal’s
network speed (see page 17).
(5) Mode Selector
The position of this selector during registration (see page 21)
determines whether the adaptor is configured as the master or as a
terminal.
(6) LAN Jack
Connects the adaptor to a network device, such as a broadband
router, hub, computer, etc. (see page 16).
PLC
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
Introduction
(5)
(1)
(6)
(2)
(7)
(3)
MASTER
LAN
SETUP
(4)
ULT
FACTORY
DEFA
RESET
13[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Introduction
(7) F ACTORY DEFAULT RESET Button
Used to reset the adaptor and erase its registration (see page 20).
14
Installation
Installation
Placing the adaptors
Refer to the information on page 7 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 21) before placing them where
you plan to use them.
1. Connect the adaptor to a wall outlet in the room where you plan to use
it.
2. Confirm that the PLC indicator of each adaptor lights in green when you
plug the adaptors into the wall outlets.
• If the PLC indicators do not light in green, see page 23.
After you have plugged the adaptors into the wall outlets in the rooms where
you plan to use them, test the terminal’s network speed (see page 17).
Power Save Mode
If a terminal’s LAN port is inactive for more than 20 minutes (i.e., if its LAN
indicator is orange for more than 20 minutes), the terminal automatically
enters Power Save mode, and its power consumption is reduced. While in
Power Save mode, the adaptor’s LAN indicator is turned off.
Power Save mode is only activated for terminal adaptors that are linked to
the HD-PLC network.
PLC
LAN
MASTER
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
PLC
LAN
MASTER
SETUP
Terminal Adaptor Power Save Mode
about 20 minutes later
BL-PA300
HD-PLC
PLC
LAN
SETUP
PLC
(green)(green)(orange)
MASTER
Power Save is deactivated when:
- An active network device is connected to the terminal.
- A network device connected to the terminal is turned on.
- The adaptor’s SETUP button is pressed.
LAN
MASTER
15[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
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 17), follow the procedure below to connect your adaptors to your
network devices (broadband router, hub , computer, netw ork printer, network
camera, etc.). This will integrate your HD-PLC network with your home
network.
1. Confirm that each adaptor is plugged in correctly to the wall outlet.
• Do not plug adaptors in upside-down (i.e., with the LAN jack
facing up).
2. Connect a LAN cable to each adaptor’s LAN jack.
•The LAN indicator of each adaptor turns green.
• If an adaptor’s LAN indicator does not turn green, see page 23.
3. Connect the other end of each LAN cable to a network device.
• Up to 16 adaptors can be connected to the same network. If a
hub is used, up to 8 devices can be connected to each adaptor.
• Avoid connecting more than one adaptor to the same hub or
router.
• Refer to the illustration on page 11 for an example of an
integrated HD-PLC network.
You are now ready to use your computers, network printers, network
cameras, etc.
16
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 21).
1. Press and hold the terminal’s SETUP button for about 1 second.
• The indicators light one at a time.
PLC LAN MASTER
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 Result Speed
No link
—
*1
Good
Better
Best
Less than
10 Mbps
10 Mbps to
30 Mbps
More than
30 Mbps
*1
*1
*1
17[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
Useful Information
*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
• The fastest and slowest speeds are displayed by the indicators
alternatively for about 6 seconds. If there is little difference between the
fastest and slowest speeds, they will be displayed as the same speed.
• At least one indicator (“Good” network speed) must be lit in order to use
the terminal.
• If you are not satisfied with th e speed test result and have tried
connecting the terminal to different wall outlets, refer to the
troubleshooting section (see page 23).
• 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 16).
18
Useful Information
Understanding the indicators
PLC Green, lit The adaptor is successfully connected to the
HD-PLC network.
Green, flashing The terminal is being registered to the master.
Green, flashes
once every 5
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.
Green, flashes
for 10 seconds
Off The adaptor is not configured as the master.
The adaptor is registered to the master, but it is
not connected to the HD-PLC network.
There was an error during registration. Try
again.
cannot communicate over the HD-PLC
network. Contact an authorized Panasonic
service center.
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.
Power Save is active. (See page 15)
A terminal has been successfully registered to
the master.
19[For assistance, please call: 1-800-272-7033]
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 e xample, 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. With a pointed object press the F ACT ORY DEFA UL T RESET button on
the adaptor for about 3 seconds.
• All the adaptor’s indicators will begin flashing.
2. Once all the adaptor’s indicators stop flashing, the adaptor has been
reset.
• Do not unplug the adaptor for about 30 seconds.
20
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