Altronix PACE1KT Single-Pair Ethernet and PoE Extender Over UTP

Overview

The Altronix PACE1KT is a single-pair Ethernet and PoE extender that pushes IP data and power simultaneously to 1,000 meters (3,280 ft.) over standard 2-wire unshielded or shielded twisted pair — roughly six times the 100-meter limit imposed by 100BaseT cabling alone. If you're deploying Altronix network infrastructure at a perimeter fence line, across a parking structure, or along a warehouse conveyor run where pulling new fiber isn't in the budget or schedule, the PACE1KT is the direct answer. It supports IEEE 802.3af/at PoE standards and delivers up to 25W at the remote end, which covers the vast majority of IP cameras and access control readers in active deployment today.

Key Features

• 1,000m (3,280 ft.) data reach over 2-wire UTP: Standard Cat5e/Cat6 runs out of road at 100m. The PACE1KT uses single-pair transmission to cover six times that distance without fiber or active repeaters — critical for outdoor IP cameras at gate houses, remote parking decks, or building perimeters where conduit runs are long.
• IEEE 802.3af/at PoE support, 25W output: Draws from a standard PoE switch on the head end and delivers up to 25W at the remote device. That covers 802.3at Class 4 devices — PTZ cameras, dual-sensor cameras, most access readers. No separate power supply at the remote end means fewer components to fail and less labor to install.
• 10/100BaseT Ethernet over the extended link: 100 Mbps is sufficient for HD and even most 4K camera streams. If you're running a single camera or card reader at the far end, the 100BaseT ceiling won't be the bottleneck — network latency over the distance is the more relevant variable to monitor.
• 2-wire transmission on UTP or shielded twisted pair: Existing structured cabling, alarm wire, or legacy 2-conductor runs can all work here. That makes the PACE1KT a strong option for retrofit projects where re-cabling is cost-prohibitive. Shielded pair adds noise rejection in electrically noisy industrial environments.
• -40°C to 75°C operating range: This isn't a product you keep in a warm closet. The -40°C floor handles outdoor Minnesota winters, and the 75°C ceiling means it survives in sun-baked enclosures or non-climate-controlled outbuildings. That thermal envelope is critical for any equipment mounted outside the conditioned space.
• UL/cUL and CE agency listings: UL listing is a hard requirement on most commercial and enterprise security projects — inspectors and integrators both expect it. CE listing covers EU deployments. These aren't marketing checkboxes; they're project closeout requirements on many commercial contracts.
• Compact form factor (57.7mm × 67.2mm × 28.4mm, 0.18 kg): Roughly the size of a deck of cards and light enough to mount inside a junction box or small enclosure at the camera pole. Low physical footprint matters when you're fitting equipment into existing infrastructure.

Integration and Compatibility

The PACE1KT operates transparently on the network — from the switch's perspective, it sees a standard 10/100BaseT link. Any ONVIF-compliant IP camera, access control reader, or IoT device drawing under 25W at the remote end will work without configuration changes. On the PoE switch side, a standard 802.3af/at port is all that's required — no proprietary PoE modes or special injectors. This makes the extender compatible with virtually any VMS or access control platform running on standard IP infrastructure. For larger deployments with multiple remote devices, Altronix offers multi-port variants in the same product family — worth exploring if you need to serve a cluster of cameras at a remote location rather than a single endpoint. Review the network extender category for the full range of distance and port-count options. When planning cable runs, factor in wire gauge: longer runs and thinner gauge will affect both data reliability and the effective PoE wattage delivered at the remote end. Consult the surveillance system design guide for cable-loss and power-budget planning guidance before committing to run lengths near the 1,000m ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What wire types does the PACE1KT support?

A: The PACE1KT works over 2-wire twisted pair — both unshielded (UTP) and shielded twisted pair are supported. This includes standard Cat5e/Cat6 as well as legacy 2-conductor alarm or security wire, making it a practical fit for retrofit installations.

Q: How much PoE power does the PACE1KT deliver to the remote device?

A: The PACE1KT delivers up to 25W at the remote end, which covers IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) Class 4 devices. Most IP cameras, including PTZ and dual-sensor models, and access control readers fall well within this envelope.

Q: Can the PACE1KT reach the full 1,000m on any gauge wire?

A: Maximum reach is rated at 1,000m (3,280 ft.) but actual performance depends on wire gauge and quality. Thinner gauge or poor-quality wire will reduce effective range and may also reduce delivered PoE wattage. For runs approaching the rated maximum, use 24 AWG or heavier and account for line losses in your power budget.

Q: What PoE standards does the PACE1KT support on the switch side?

A: The PACE1KT is compatible with IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at PoE standards on the source (switch) side. No proprietary PoE modes are required — any compliant PoE switch or midspan injector will work.

Q: Is the PACE1KT suitable for outdoor or uncontrolled-environment installations?

A: Yes. The operating temperature range of -40°C to 75°C makes it appropriate for outdoor junction boxes, equipment poles, and non-climate-controlled outbuildings. It carries UL/cUL and CE agency listings, which are required for most commercial installations.

Q: Does the PACE1KT require any configuration or software?

A: No. The PACE1KT is a plug-and-play device — it passes Ethernet and PoE transparently. No IP address, no software, no firmware configuration is required. Install it in-line between the PoE switch port and the remote cable run, connect the remote device, and the network link comes up automatically.

Jerry Tildsen

The PACE1KT earns its place on the BOM when you're faced with a camera or reader location that sits past the 100m Ethernet wall and pulling fiber isn't approved or budgeted. The 1,000m reach over 2-wire twisted pair is the defining spec here — it's what separates this from a standard PoE injector or media converter, and in practice it unlocks locations that would otherwise require a fiber run, an intermediate switch closet, or a separate power circuit.

Technical Highlights:

• 1,000m over 2-wire UTP: Six times the standard 100m Ethernet limit, using infrastructure that's often already in the wall or conduit from a prior alarm or phone installation. On retrofit projects, this frequently means zero new cabling cost.
• 25W PoE output at the remote end: IEEE 802.3at Class 4 coverage means you can hang a PTZ, a dual-sensor camera, or a reader with REX and door hardware at the far end — not just a basic fixed camera. That's a meaningful capability difference versus lower-wattage extenders.
• -40°C to 75°C operating range: The thermal envelope is wide enough for outdoor pole-mounted junction boxes in cold climates and sun-exposed equipment cabinets in hot ones. Most competitors rate to -20°C or -10°C — the extra 20°C of cold headroom matters in northern installations.

Deployment Considerations:

• Wire gauge is load-bearing on long runs. At or near the 1,000m ceiling, confirm you're using 24 AWG or heavier twisted pair — thinner wire increases resistance, which both shortens effective data range and reduces delivered PoE wattage below the 25W rated maximum. Budget the power deficit before specifying a high-draw remote device.
• This is a 10/100BaseT device — Gigabit Ethernet is not supported over the extended link. For single-camera or single-reader endpoints this is irrelevant; if you're planning to backhaul a remote switch serving multiple devices, confirm aggregate bandwidth stays within 100 Mbps.

The PACE1KT is the right call for perimeter fence-line cameras at industrial facilities, parking structure elevator lobbies, and campus gate houses — anywhere you have a long copper run and a single IP device to power at the far end. It won't replace fiber for multi-device remote clusters, but for the single-endpoint long-run problem it solves cleanly with no configuration and no separate power circuit.