TP-Link TL-PA251 AV200+ Powerline Adapter Kit AC Pass Through

The TP-Link TL-PA251 AV200+ Powerline Adapter Kit AC Pass Through sends a network connection over the mains wiring already in the building. It suits a recorder, PC or network switch that sits too far from the router for an easy cable run.

What the specs mean in use

• Powerline: the data travels through the wiring behind your sockets. There is no new Ethernet cable to feed through walls, lofts or under floors.
• AV200+: the kit's performance rating. Compare it with what your cameras and network video recorder (NVR) need from the network before you order.
• AC pass-through: AC is alternating current, the mains supply. Each adapter has its own mains socket, so plugging it in does not use up the wall outlet. This is handy behind a desk or equipment shelf when the sockets are already occupied.

What else you need

• One wall socket near the router and one near the device you are connecting.
• A network cable from each adapter to the router and to the recorder, PC or switch.
• Some allowance for the building. Powerline results depend on the wiring it runs over, so a large or older property can behave differently from a small flat.

If a network cable can be run without much disruption, a wired connection is still the more direct route.