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PoE Extenders

An Ethernet extender carries a network link beyond the 100m reach of a normal copper cable run, and a PoE extender passes power along with the data, so an IP camera, wireless access point or IP phone can sit well away from the switch. This collection covers in-line PoE repeaters such as the TRENDnet TI-E100, point-to-point kits over Cat5e or a single twisted pair, and Ethernet-over-coax adapters that re-use the coax left by analogue CCTV.

Choosing PoE Extenders

Choose an extender by the cable already in place, the distance to cover, the PoE power the far device draws and how many devices share the run.

Twisted pair or coax

Where a Cat5e or Cat6 run reaches its 100m limit, an in-line repeater restarts the link: the Nitek EE328 adds 100m per unit and can be daisy-chained, and the Veracity VOR-ORM-G doubles a gigabit run to 200m. For longer point-to-point links, LONGSPAN units such as the Veracity VLS-LSM-B carry 100Base-TX to 820m on Cat6, and Nitek EL1551U kits work over a single twisted pair. Where analogue cameras leave coax behind, Ethernet-over-coax sets such as the Nitek EL1500C, Comnet CLFE4EOC and Axis 5026-401 re-use it for IP video and PoE.

ExampleCableStated reach
TRENDnet TI-E100 repeaterEthernet, in line100m added, 300m with two units
Nitek EL1551UP kitsingle twisted pair300m
Nitek EL1500C setRG59U coax500m
Veracity VLS-LSM-BCat6820m
NVT Phybridge NV-FLX-04-XKITone coax run1,220m
Comnet CLFE4EOCcoax610m at 100Mbps, 1,524m at 10Mbps

Powering the link

In-line repeaters such as the Nitek EE328 draw their power from the PoE switch, so nothing is needed at the midpoint. Multi-port coax receivers such as the Nitek ER8500C and ER16500C have an internal supply that powers the system, while the Comnet CLLFE4POEC can generate PoE+ itself with a 48 to 56V input, its power supply sold separately.

Kits, racks and mounting

Point-to-point sets pair a unit at each end, as in the Nitek EL1543C bundle of an ER1500C receiver and ET1543C mini transmitter. For many cameras on one head end, the Nitek ER16500C is a rack mounted receiver for up to 16 coax transmitters, and Veracity LONGSPAN mounts 24 channels in 1U of rack space. The AMG Systems AMG140-1GR fits a DIN rail or a wall, and Nitek bundles ending -W1 add a weatherproof enclosure, such as the WP1325 with the ER1500C-W1.

Brands we stock in Ethernet and PoE extenders

Nitek, Comnet, Veracity, AMG Systems, Axis Communications, NVT Phybridge, Dahua Technology, TRENDnet, Comelit PAC and D-Link. Nitek supplies the most products here, mainly transmitters, receivers and kits for coax and twisted-pair runs.

Related categories

Power the head end from PoE switches or PoE injectors and splitters, run new links in Ethernet cables or network and data cable, check the existing coaxial cable, or go beyond copper with fibre media converters.

Frequently asked questions

What does an Ethernet extender do?

It lets a network link run further than the 100m a single copper Ethernet cable is designed for. Some units repeat the signal in line, as the Nitek EE328 does with 100m per unit; others are transmitter and receiver pairs that cover a longer run in one go, such as the Veracity VLS-LSM-B at 820m on Cat6. Most models here also carry PoE, so the far device can be powered over the same cable.

Can I use existing coax cable for IP cameras?

Yes. Ethernet-over-coax extenders carry network data and PoE over the coax left by an analogue CCTV system, so cameras can move to IP without new cable. The Nitek EL1543C set covers 500m of coax, the Veracity VLS-1P-CC runs 100Base-T and PoE for 1400m on RG11, and the Axis 5026-401 kit pairs an adapter at the camera with a second one at the network end.

How far can an Ethernet extender reach?

Well past 100m: the TRENDnet TI-E100 adds 100m per unit, the Nitek EL1500C covers 500m of RG59U coax, the Veracity VLS-LSM-B reaches 820m on Cat6, and the AMG Systems AMG173-1G-1V 2000m over coax or Cat5e/6 UTP. Speed can fall as distance grows: the Comnet CLFE1EOU reaches 610m at 100Mbps but 914m at 10Mbps over UTP.

How much PoE power can an extender pass on?

Up to 90W through the Veracity VOR-ORM-G; other stated figures include 30W PoE+ on the TRENDnet TI-E100, 60W UPoE into the TI-EU120 and 50W on the NVT Phybridge NV-FLX-04-XKIT. The power left at the far end also falls with distance: Veracity rates the VLS-LSM-CXT at 60W at 200m but 40W at 350m, so check the device draw against the figure for your run length.

Does a PoE extender need its own power supply?

Not for in-line repeaters such as the Nitek EE328, TRENDnet TI-E100 and Veracity VOR-ORL-XT, which draw their power from the PoE switch. Where the switch has no PoE, the EE328 takes an optional power supply and inserts PoE itself. Multi-channel sets differ: Comnet states that its four, eight and sixteen channel CopperLine units operate from local power, and the Nitek ER8500C receiver has an internal supply that provides PoE to the system.

Do I need one extender or a pair?

An in-line repeater works on its own, while point-to-point extenders are used as a pair, with one unit at either end of the run. Kits such as the Nitek EL1551UP and NVT Phybridge NV-FLXLK-XKIT contain both ends. The Nitek ET1543C transmitter pairs with an ER8500C or ER16500C receiver bought separately, and a complete Comnet CLLFE4POEC set has a local and a remote module.

Can one extender serve several cameras?

Yes, several models split one long run between devices. The Nitek ET4500C sends four IP devices over one RG59 coax for 500m, the NVT Phybridge NV-EC-04-XKIT gives four endpoints from a single coax cable, and the Dahua PFT1500 has four PoE outputs. At the head end, the Nitek ER16500C receiver takes up to 16 coax transmitters in one rack mounted unit.

Will an extender work with any IP camera?

Generally yes, as long as the power suits the camera. Nitek describes its Etherstretch units as transparent to the network, needing no IP or MAC address, and Veracity states that the VHW-HWPS-CBB works with any IP camera or device. A PTZ draws more power and so reaches less far: Axis rates the 5025-281 for a 25 watt PTZ at 200m, against 400m for a 5 watt camera with three units.

Are there extenders for outdoor locations?

Yes. The TRENDnet TI-EU120 and Comelit PAC IPSWP02NA have IP67 housings, the Veracity VOR-ORL-GXT has an IP66/67 enclosure for external installation, and Nitek bundles ending -W1 add a weatherproof enclosure, such as the NEMA 4X housing of the ET1551U-W1. For street furniture, the AMG Systems AMG140-1GR is sized for confined spaces such as conduit, camera poles and roadside cabinets.

Which extenders keep gigabit speed?

Gigabit repeaters such as the Veracity VOR-ORM-G, D-Link DPE-302GE and AMG Systems AMG140-1GR keep gigabit end to end, because they regenerate the link rather than converting it. The Nitek EE328 range and the Veracity VOR-ORL-XT are 10/100 repeaters, and the Dahua PFT1300 and PFT1500 have 10/100 PoE outputs. Long-reach and coax sets usually run at 10/100 too: the Comnet CLFE4EOC gives 10/100 Mbps and the Veracity VLS-LSM-B 100Base-TX, which suits IP cameras.

Why buy from West Midlands Electrics

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Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated