Panasonic BLPA300A - HD-PLC ETHERNET ADAPTOR User manual

Operating Instructions
PLC Adaptor Add-on Unit
Power Line Communication
Model No.
BL-PA300A
PLC LANMASTER
HD-PLC
BL-PA300
SETUP
Operating Instructions .......................................................... 2
Instrucciones de operación................................................. 27
Limited warranty ..................................................................... 52
Customer services ................................................................. 54
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Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.......................................4
Electrical environment information................................................5
Security information.......................................................................7
Security notices for when sending an adaptor for service.............8
Main unit........................................................................................9
Installation
Registration.................................................................................11
Placing the adaptors....................................................................13
Power Save Mode.......................................................................13
Connecting adaptors to network devices.....................................14
Useful Information
Testing a terminal’s network speed.............................................15
Understanding the indicators.......................................................17
Resetting an adaptor...................................................................18
Troubleshooting...........................................................................19
Specifications..............................................................................22
Adaptor Maintenance Screen......................................................24
FCC and other information..........................................................25
Table of Contents
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 5 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.
Included items
Confirm that the following items are included with this product.
Additional items can be ordered by calling 1-800-332-5368.
Abbreviations
• This product is referred to as “the adaptor” in this document.
Trademarks
•Linux
®istheregisteredtrademarkof LinusTorvaldsintheU.S.andother
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.
PLC Adaptor Add-on Unit.......... 1 LAN Cable....................................1
Order No.: PQJA10138Z
Getting Started............................. 1 Operating Instructions
(this document).............................1
PLC LAN MASTER
HD-PLC
BL-PA300
SETUP
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Introduction
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Whenusingthisproduct,basicsafetyprecautionsshouldalwaysbefollowed
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. 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
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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 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 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)
• 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.)
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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 19) 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 15).
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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. Datasentandreceivedoverthe HD-PLC networkemploysAES128-bit
encryption, however we cannot guarantee that data will not be
intercepted by a third party.
3. For security, reset your adaptors (see page 18) 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.
• Ifyoulosean adaptor, resetyourremaining adaptors andregister
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.
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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.
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Introduction
Main unit
(1) PLC Indicator
Lights to indicate that the adaptor is connected to the HD-PLC
network. For more information, see page 17.
(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 17.
(3) MASTER Indicator
Lights when the adaptor is configured as the master. For more
information, see page 17.
(4) SETUP Button
Used to register the adaptor (see page 11) or test the terminal’s
network speed (see page 15).
(5) Mode Selector
The position of this selector during registration (see page 11)
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 14).
PLC LAN MASTER
HD-PLC
BL-PA300
SETUP
FACTORY
DEFAULT
RESET
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
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Introduction
(7) FACTORY DEFAULT RESET Button
Used to reset the adaptor and erase its registration (see page 18).
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Installation
Installation
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. Confirmthatthemode selectorofthemasteradaptorissettoMASTER
and the MASTER indicator is lit green.
2. Confirm that the mode selector of the terminal adaptor that you want to
register is set to TERMINAL.
3. Plug the power strip into the same wall outlet that the master adaptor
is plugged into.
• Registration may not be successful if the master and power strip
are connected to different wall outlets during registration.
• Make sure the power strip is turned on. Do not use a power strip
with a noise filter or surge protector feature.
4. Plug the terminal adaptor into the power strip.
5. Reset theterminal bypressingthe FACTORY DEFAULT RESET button
on the terminal for about 3 seconds (see page 18).
• 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 green.
• Make sure you press the SETUP button on each adaptor within 3
seconds of each other.
MASTER
TERMINAL
MASTER TERMINAL
MASTER TERMINAL
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Installation
7. When the PLC indicator of each adaptor lights in green, registration
was successful.
•IfthePLC indicators do not light in green, see page 19.
8. Wait about 30 seconds, then unplug the adaptors and place them
where you plan to use them (see page 13).
Note
• While registering an additional terminal, communication between all
other adaptors may be disrupted for about 10 seconds.
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Installation
Placing the adaptors
Refer to the information on page 5 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 11) 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. ConfirmthatthePLCindicatorofeachadaptorlightsingreenwhenyou
plug the adaptors into the wall outlets.
• If the PLC indicators do not light in green, see page 19.
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 15).
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.
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.
HD-PLC
BL-PA300
PLC
SETUP
LAN MASTER
HD-PLC
BL-PA300
PLC
SETUP
LAN MASTER
PLC
Terminal Adaptor Power Save Mode
about 20 minutes later
LAN MASTER PLC
(green)(green) (orange)
LAN MASTER
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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 15), 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 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.
•TheLAN indicator of each adaptor turns green.
• If an adaptor’s LAN indicator does not turn green, see page 19.
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.
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 totest the speed ofeach terminal’s network connection
to the master. Make sure that the terminal has already been registered to a
master (see page 11).
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
PLC LAN MASTER Result Speed
No link —
*1
Good Less than
10 Mbps*1
Better 10 Mbps to
30 Mbps*1
Best More than
30 Mbps*1
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Useful Information
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 the speed test result and have tried
connecting the terminal to different wall outlets, refer to the
troubleshooting section (see page 19).
• Ifthe electricalconditionsin yourhome change,networkspeed mayalso
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 14).
*1 Approximate data transmission speed when transmitting data using the UDP
protocol.
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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
The adaptor isregistered tothe master,butit is
not connected to the HD-PLC network.
Red, lit for 5
seconds There was an error during registration. Try again.
Red, lit The adaptor is not functioning properly and
cannot communicate over the HD-PLC
network. Contact an authorized Panasonic
service center.
Off The adaptor is not plugged in.
The adaptor is not connected to the HD-PLC
network (no other adaptors found, not
configured, etc.).
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
adaptor via the LAN cable, or the network
device is not turned on.
Off The adaptor is not plugged in.
Power Save is active. (See page 13)
MASTER Green, lit The adaptor is configured as the master.
Green, flashes
for 10 seconds A terminal has been successfully registered to the master.
Off The adaptor is not configured as 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
registeredtoyourmaster.(Forexample,theadaptorofsomeonewho
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.
• Ifthemaster is reset,allterminalsmustberegisteredtothe masteragain
in order to be used.
Follow the procedure below to reset an adaptor.
1. With a pointed object press the FACTORY DEFAULT 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.
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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
•ThePLC indicator is not lit in green 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 steps in the following troubleshooting notes.
Each note contains several steps. After you perform each step, test the
terminal’s network speed (see page 15) 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. Unplug the master and terminal adaptors, then plug them into the wall
outlets again. The indicators on the adaptors will light if the adaptors
are receiving power. If a wall outlet has a power switch, make sure it is
turned on.
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. Try connecting the master and/or terminal adaptor to a different wall
outlet.
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Useful Information
4. If you are not able to plug an adaptor directly into 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.
5. 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.
6. Use a power strip with an AC cord that is as short as possible.
7. Re-register the terminal following the procedure on page 11.
If the performance issue is not solved, continue to the next troubleshooting
note.
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)
• 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
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 as short as possible.
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