Network interface adapters are then attached to electronic devices through USB or parallel ports so they can communicate with each other and connect to the Internet. The network is relatively secure as the signal is encrypted before transmission. In addition, the signal reduces quickly, so it will not leave the home. Power lines are often called hostile environments for networks because of the flux and change that can occur such as power surges, lightning, and brown outs. A power surge usually slows data transmission, and a brown out will affect the network devices much like it affects other electrical appliances in your home.
Lightning is viewed as noise by the system.
Further, you risk permanent damage to your PC, printer, and other appliances connected to the powerline network from lightning and power surges, since several powerline networking technologies do not permit you to plug into a surge protector or power strip first. Current powerline home networks support the Ethernet standard, so all software that is network compatible is also compatible with this technology. A comparison of advantages and disadvantages of networking technologies. All these networking technologies might seem intimidating to the average family. There is no need to worry, though, as home networking is user friendly.