Comtrend Corporation PowerGrid-9141(s) User manual

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PowerGrid-9141(s)
Powerline Ethernet Adapter
User Manual
Version A1.0, October 24, 2012

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Preface
This manual provides information related to the installation and
operation of this device. The individual reading this manual is
presumed to have a basic understanding of telecommunications
terminology and concepts.
If you find the product to be inoperable or malfunctioning, please
contact technical support for immediate service by email at
INT[email protected]
For product update, new product release, manual revision, or software
upgrades, please visit our website at http://www.comtrend.com
Important Safety Instructions
With reference to unpacking, installation, use, and maintenance of
your electronic device, the following basic guidelines are
recommended:
· Do not use or install this product near water, to avoid fire or shock
hazard. For example, near a bathtub, kitchen sink or laundry tub, or
near a swimming pool. Also, do not expose the equipment to rain or
damp areas (e.g. a wet basement).
· To safeguard the equipment against overheating, make sure that all
openings in the unit that offer exposure to air are not blocked.
Power supply specifications are clearly stated in Appendix A
Specifications.

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Product disposal instructions
The symbol shown here and on the product
means that the product is classed as
Electrical or Electronic Equipment and should
not be disposed with other household or
commercial waste at the end of its working
life.
The Waste of Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2002/96/EC)
has been put in place to recycle products
using best available recovery and recycling
techniques to minimize the impact on the
environment, treat any hazardous
substances and avoid the increasing landfill.
Product disposal instructions for residential users
When you have no further use for it, please remove any
batteries and dispose of them and the product as per your local
authority’s recycling processes. For more information please
contact your local authority or the retailer where the product
was purchased.
Product disposal instructions for business users
Business users should contact their suppliers and check the
terms and conditions of the purchase contract and ensure that
this product is not mixed with other commercial waste for
disposal.
Copyright
Copyright© 2012 Comtrend Corporation. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein is the exclusive property of
Comtrend Corporation. No part of this document may be
translated, transcribed, or reproduced in any form or by any
means without prior written consent from Comtrend
Corporation. This document is subject to change without
notice.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................5
PACKAGE CONTENTS ..........................................................................................................................6
LEDSAND BUTTONS.............................................................................................................................7
HOW TO INSTALLTHE POWERGRID 9141(S).................................................................................8
ADDINGA NEW DEVICE.....................................................................................................................10
HOW TO USEAPOWER STRIPWITH THE PG9141(S)................................................................. 11
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE STATUS LED COLORS..................................................................12
FREQUENTLYASKED QUESTIONS.................................................................................................13
APPENDIX A SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................16

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Introduction
The PG9141(s) Powerline Ethernet adapter you have just acquired
is part of Comtrend’s Powerline family:
• PG9141(s) – The Current Model
• PG9041(s) – HomePlug AV 200M Powerline with pass through
product
• PG9042(s) – HomePlug AV 200M small size with changeable plug
and socket
This user manual will provide you with the basic knowledge to start
using your new PG9141(s) in just minutes.
Features
．ClearPath Technology
Supports ClearPath and can be used with neutral-ground pair for
higher PHY rates/throughputs and better coverage over the other
HPAV products. (HPAV technology utilizes the phase-neutral pair
only)
．High Speed Data Transmission
High speed (up to 200Mbps) dramatically increases the
performance of next-generation home entertainment applications
such as multiple high definition (HD), 3DTV and standard definition
(SD) video distribution, TV over IP (IPTV), digital video recorder
(DVR) networking and media center PCs.
．No Extra Wires Needed
Local area network can be extended without the hassle of having to
install extra wiring because the power line network is already a
commonplace fixture in most households.
．Simple Pairing, Plug & Play
Quick and easy connections with embedded plug-and-play, no extra
configuration required!
PowerGrid 9141(s) can be paired easily by simply connecting
Ethernet cables to routers and devices.
．Extends Connecting Range & Eliminates Dead Spots
Unlike wireless, Power line technology is capable of actually
covering more than 95% of a typical household area.
．More Outlets than Other Wired Solutions
On average, there are 45 power outlets and only 3-5 cable or phone
outlets in a household, therefore making power lines a more
convenient solution for extending networks.
．Security
With advanced data encryption capability, the power line networks
are safer and more secure.

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The perfect complement for a Wi-Fi connection
Powerline adapters are the ideal way of creating a home network or
complementing an existing Wi-Fi connection. By providing a secure
high speed connection and great service quality, Powerlines allow you
to watch Standard and High Definition (HD) movies as well as play
online games without interruption or pixilation; share photos, music
and other media stored on a PC or compatible storage device anywhere
in your home. Powerline Adapters will help you reach those areas of
your home where the Wi-Fi signal is either too weak or cannot reach.
Package contents
The following items are included in your PG9141(s) package:
• A single or pair of PG9141(s) adapters
• One Ethernet cable with each adapter
• Quick Start Guide

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LEDs and Buttons
The PG9141(s) has been designed to be as user friendly as possible.
There are just three LED lights and two buttons on the unit. They are
described below.
LED Color
Red: Normal network traffic (ex. the connection speed is
between 1 and 40 Megabits per second)
Orange: Good network traffic (ex. the connection speed is
between 40 and 90 Megabits per second)
STATUS
Green: Excellent network traffic (ex. the connection speed
is more than 90 Megabits per second)
ON: Local area network (LAN) connection is established
ETHERNET
OFF: LAN connection is not established
OFF: No power (perhaps the socket to which the adapter is
connected does not work or is disabled)
ON: Powerline is plugged in with voltage present
Power
Flashing: the connection is established

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How to install the PowerGrid 9141(s)
If your PG9141(s) starter kit was supplied as a pair, please note that
they are pre-configured and come ready to use; the Powerline adapters
are paired in our factory so they will recognize each other, which makes
setup this easy:
1. Plug both PG9141(s) adapters into an electrical socket:
a. One next your router (or modem) “Device A”
b. One next to the device you will connect to your network “Device
B”
2. The Status LEDs on both PG9141(s) adapters will light up RED.
3. When the Status LEDs are both GREEN the adapters are ready to
use.
Connect the other PG9141(s) to your computer, V-box or other network
device using an Ethernet cable “Device “B”
If the PG9141(s) starter kit is supplied in single units, you need to pair

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up 2 units manually with the same above connections to modem/router
(like “Device A”) and end device (like “Device B”):
1. The STATUS LED on the additional PowerGrid 9141(s) should now
be RED or GREEN or ORANGE.
2. If the Status LED is not GREEN , Press the both Config buttons of
the two PowerGrid 9141(s) for 2-5 seconds (within 2 minutes of
eachother), upon successful connection of the additional PowerGrid
9141(s), the STATUS LED will light up Green.
If the connection process is not successful (i.e. the STATUS LED
does not light up or Power LED is blinking) please refer to Frequently
Asked Questions: STATUS LED OFF and Power LED blinking.
3. If the status LED is not Green , please consult the information
in the Section “Frequently Asked Questions”.

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Soon after, you should see the Ethernet LED blinking; this indicates
that there is data traffic going through the PG9141(s). You are now
ready to start using your network.
Adding a New Device
Plug the additional PowerGrid 9141(s) into a socket, and then connect
it to the network device (e.g. computer, set-top-box etc...) via the
Ethernet (RJ-45) cable, using the steps described for “Device B”
connection to join the new PowerGrid 9141(s) to the network, the
STATUS LED should light up RED, GREEN or ORANGE. This is
“Device C”.
Press the both Config button of “Device A” for 2-5 seconds, within two
minutes press the “Device C” for 2-5 seconds. Upon successful
connection of the additional PowerGrid 9141(s), the STATUS LED will
light up.

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How to use a power strip with the PG9141(s)
If you must plug your adapter into a power strip, we suggest you use a
basic power strip as the more advanced ones have a filter that can
interfere with the Powerline signal.
SURGE PROTECTED POWER STRIPS: Avoid
plugging PowerGrid units into power strips with surge
protection as this will reduce network speed and may
even prevent their use.

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How to understand the STATUS LED colors
The STATUS LED displays quality of the network and provides
important information that will provide solutions to common
questions, such as why a High Definition (HD) movie is not showing
or shows with pixels. The STATUS LED indicator will vary its color
depending on the estimated speed of the Powerline connection. The
speed is measured in Megabits Per Second (Mbps).
Color Information
RED The current connection has standard quality, normal
internet activities ex. 40Mbps are possible but the
Powerline is unable to transmit either a Standard
Movie or High Definition (HD) Movie.
ORANGE The current connection has
g
ood quality and Internet
activities ex. greater than 40Mbps and less than
90Mbps to transmit Standard Movie and HD Movie.
GREEN The current connection has excellent quality and
internet activities ex. greater than 90Mbps to
transmit multiple Standard Movies and HD Movies.
NOTE: All these measurements are configurable based on ISP
definitions or factory default settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions
This Powerline adapter has been designed to be reliable and easy to
use in creating or extending your existing home network. However,
should you experience any problems, please refer to the list below to
aid in troubleshooting.
1. What to do if the LEDs do not display as expected?
Power indictor is flashing, the other indicators are off:
PowerGrid 9141(s) went into power saving mode. It occurs 30
seconds after the Ethernet signal connection stops.
Ethernet LED is off: If the Ethernet LED does not light up,
check or connect your devices (PC, STB…etc.) to the port
Ethernet PowerGrid 9141(s) to check whether your Ethernet
cable works. Alternatively, you can use another similar cable.
Status LED is off: After performing step 2. (for 2 single units to
pair up), if still not working, please do the following 2 steps:
Simple Connect: Press the CONFIG push button for more
than 11 seconds on each of PowerGrid 9141(s) adapters
then press the CONFIG push button for 2-5 seconds on
one adapter (the Power LED should blink). Within 2
minutes, press the CONFIG push button for 2-5 seconds
on the second adapter. After 10 seconds the two
adapters should communicate and the Status LED
should be solid on both adapters at the end of the pairing
process.
Simple Pairing: Plug 2 PowerGrid 9141(s) adapters to the
power then connect these 2 devices directly to one
another using an Ethernet cable. Wait for the Ethernet
LED to turn ON, and then disconnect the Ethernet cable.
The Status LED should be solid ON both PowerGrid
9141(s) adapters at the end of the pairing process.
2. How do I RESET to factory default settings?
If you have tried the FAQ above action 1., you are still experiencing
problems, you can return both PowerGrid 9141(s) adapters to factory
settings using the pin by pressing (RESET) for 11 seconds (until all the
LEDs of the adapter blink).
If the power LED on any of the PowerGrid 9141(s) units (in the
network) does not light up Green, press the Config button on the
problem PowerGrid 9141(s) unit for more than 10 seconds to
disconnect it from the network. Then, follow the steps in the Section
“How to install the PowerGrid 9141(s)” above. If the problem persists,
please contact your local agent for further assistance.

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3. Why is SDTV video not streaming?
Check the STATUS indicator LED in the adapter connected
to the STB.
If the indicator is RED this means that the PLC link is not
able to play an SDTV streaming.
Try to reposition the adapter into another outlet in order
to obtain an ORANGE or GREEN indication.
If the indicator is ORANGE or GREEN, it should now be able
to play SDTV video.
If the SDTV video still does not play, check the Ethernet
cables and the settings of devices connected to the PLC
adapters (STB, router, PC, video server, etc.).
4. How many PowerGrid 9141(s) could be installed at home?
For each additional device (computer, modem, router…and so on)
that you want to connect to your home network, you will need add
additional adapters PowerGrid 9141(s) and Ethernet cables, one for
each device.
The maximum number of installed devices, is up to 10 in the same
home network.
Maximum data transfer between devices, 95 MB /sec.
Poor quality of the wiring and the presence of interference will
significantly reduce the possible number of installed devices and
data transfer rate.
5. Why is HDTV video not streaming?
Check the status indicator LED in the adapter connected to the
set top box (STB).
If the indicator is RED or ORANGE this means that the Powerline
link is not able to stream HDTV.
Try to reposition the adapter in another outlet in order to obtain
a GREEN indication.
If the indicator is GREEN, it should now be able to play a HDTV
video.
If the LED is not GREEN check the Ethernet cables and the
settings of devices connected to Powerline adapters (STB, DSL
router, PC, video server, etc.).
N
OTE : If the HDTV video bandwidth is lower than 10Mbps, it may
be possible to stream the video with an ORANGE STATUS LED in
some cases.
6. What if my Powerline Adapters don’t fit into the plug
socket?
Your Powerline Adapters might not fit because the sockets are
too close to the floor or are in the skirting board.
The easiest way around this is to use a trailing power strip, and

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plug the Adapter into the strip. Please make sure that the strip
is not an anti-surge adapter strip.
7. What if the house next door has Powerline Adapters as
well?
Each pair of Powerline Adapters has its own unique security key.
This means that your connection is secure and cannot be
confused with anyone else’s.
8. Is it safe to leave the Powerline Adapters on all the time -
is there any danger of overheating?
Powerline Adapters are CE and FCC certified and completely
safe to leave plugged in all the time. They may become slightly
warm in use - this is perfectly normal. However, you may wish
to put them into standby when not in use.
9. How much power do Powerline Adapters use and how
much do they cost each month in electricity?
The Adapters use 3.5 Watts when in use and 0.45 Watts in
standby. Prices vary between electricity suppliers.
10. How can I check that my Powerline Adapters are
working properly?
Your Powerline Adapters are set to work together as a pair,
and should work perfectly out of the box. The best way to
test them is to find a double plug socket, and plug them in
next to each other. Often the best place to find a double
plug socket is in your kitchen. Alternatively plug them into
a trailing extension strip (but not an anti-surge strip).
When plugged in, after 10 seconds, the Powerline Adapters
will configure themselves so that each has a green status
light.
If the Powerline Adapters don’t configure themselves as
above, you need to follow the reset procedure (described
above).
When your Powerline Adapters are connected to a device
the Ethernet light should light up. When you’re using the
service the Ethernet light will flash. You may notice that the
Status Light on one or both Powerline Adapters changes to
red or orange. This isn’t something to worry about if you
are not having any problems with your connection.

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PowerGrid Series PG-9141(s)
200M HPAV
Appendix A Specifications
Interface
RJ-45 X 1 for Ethernet connection
AC power plug X 1
Ethernet
Standard IEEE 802.3
10/100 BaseT auto-sense
Auto rate and duplex negotiation
MDI/MDX support
Modulations
OFDM, FEC; Flexible frequency configuration
Data Rate
Up to 200Mbps
Management
Remote Firmware upgrade
TR-069 Supported (Optional)
Security
AES 128 bits encryption ensures total data security
*** PG-9141s with ClearPath technology “(s)”
Networking Protocols
802.1D Ethernet Bridge
802.1Q VLAN
Quality of Service (QoS)
IGMP(IPv4) Snooping & MLD(IPv6) Snooping
Power
100-240 VAC 0.2A 50Hz/60Hz
Auto power saving mode max 0.5W (in standby mode)
Environment Condition
Operating temperature: 0 ~ 40 degrees Celsius
Relative humidity: 8 ~ 95% (non-condensing)
Dimensions
EU (UK/French/NA) version 93mm (H) x 29.6mm (W) x 59mm (D)
(with plug)
Certifications
FCC, CE class B, WEEE, RoHS, REACH