ZyXEL Communications PLA-450 User Manual page 45

Table 9 Summary: My Homeplug Network
LABEL
Avg. Attenuation
Avg. Output
Power
PLA450 User's Guide
DESCRIPTION
This field displays the average attenuation measured in dB. Attenuation is the
reduction in strength of a signal as it travels over a transmission line. Use this
field to check the reduction in the strength of the signal between two devices.
Attenuation may vary considerably across a powerline network as line
conditions also vary. A typical level of attenuation may be 40 dB, but may reach
over 70 dB, depending on line quality and distance.
A main cause of attenuation is the power requirements of appliances on your
electrical circuit. Powerline traffic near an appliance such as a refrigerator may
be affected by attenuation more than on other sections of your powerline.
This field shows the average power produced by the device. Power levels
should be constant and limited by the output power standard of your country.
Unusually high output power levels may damage your device.
Chapter 4 Introducing the Web Configurator
45