Aiphone 2-WIRE POE Converter for IX Series Devices - IPW-1VC

Aiphone IPW-1VC 2-Wire PoE Converter for IX Series Devices

The Aiphone IPW-1VC is a 2-wire PoE converter designed to bridge legacy 2-conductor twisted-pair cabling with modern Aiphone IX Series intercom and video station hardware. If you're retrofitting existing facilities where 2-wire runs are already in place, the IPW-1VC eliminates the cost and disruption of pulling new Cat-5e/6 — it converts your 48V DC power and signal onto those existing copper runs, extending device reach to 1000 feet depending on station type and configuration.

Overview and Use Case

The IPW-1VC addresses a specific retrofit scenario: buildings with decades of 22-18 AWG shielded or unshielded 2-conductor wire already running through walls, conduit, and cable trays. Rather than abandon that infrastructure, this converter lets you repurpose it for IX Series endpoints (video stations and audio stations) over distances that would otherwise require new Cat-5e/6 runs. This cuts installation labor, wall patching, and material costs in retrofit projects where aesthetic and budgetary constraints make pulling parallel cabling impractical.

Key Features

• 1000-foot 2-wire reach on 22-18 AWG: Supports full-distance legacy copper runs without Cat-5e/6 re-cabling. Video stations can operate 0–500 feet at full 5-station answering capacity, or 501–1000 feet at 3-station capacity; audio stations reach the full 1000 feet with 7-station answering capacity. This matters for distributed campuses, warehouses, and multi-building complexes where existing wire already spans the distance.
• Minimal power footprint: Draws less than 2 watts in operation. On a 48V DC, 1A input, the IPW-1VC leaves almost all available power for downstream devices, avoiding the need to upsize central power supplies when retrofitting multiple units.
• Ultra-compact form factor: Measures 1-7/16" H × 3" W × 1-1/8" D and ships with a supplied mounting bracket. Fits in shallow electrical boxes, behind existing panels, or on DIN rails without consuming significant panel real estate — a practical detail when retrofitting in already-congested equipment closets.
• Wide operating temperature range: Rated -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C), so it tolerates unheated mechanical rooms, outdoor equipment enclosures, and high-heat HVAC plenums. No climate control workaround needed for standard commercial environments.
• Direct IX Series compatibility: Engineered specifically for Aiphone IX Series video and audio stations. No third-party gateway complexity — native integration with Aiphone's current intercom line.
• Flexible 2-wire or Cat-5e/6 input: While designed for 2-wire legacy runs, the unit also accepts Cat-5e/6 at shorter distances (15 feet on Cat-5e/6) if you need to mix old and new cabling segments in a single retrofit project.

Integration and Compatibility

The IPW-1VC integrates directly with Aiphone IX Series endpoints and does not require separate VMS integration or third-party middleware. Station calling capacity (the number of answering masters reachable from a single video or audio station) is distance-dependent: at 0–500 feet on 2-wire, expect 5 simultaneous video station answers; beyond 500 feet, capacity drops to 3 masters. Audio stations maintain 7-master capacity across the full 1000-foot range. This is a physical limitation of signal transmission over legacy copper, not a configuration issue — so plan downstream intercom architecture accordingly if deploying multiple units in a large facility.

Installation requires a 48V DC power source (1A minimum) and standard 2-conductor or Cat-5e/6 field wiring. No special tools or firmware updates are needed; setup is passive once power and wire connections are made.

What's in the Box

1x Aiphone IPW-1VC converter unit, 1x supplied mounting bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the IPW-1VC on 2-wire runs longer than 1000 feet?

A: No. The IPW-1VC is rated for a maximum 1000-foot span on 22-18 AWG 2-wire. Beyond that distance, signal degradation will exceed the operating tolerance of IX Series endpoints. If you have longer runs, consider splitting them with a second converter unit and intermediate power source, or evaluate direct Cat-5e/6 re-runs for those segments.

Q: What happens to calling capacity beyond 500 feet?

A: Video stations drop from 5 answering stations to 3 answering masters when deployed 501–1000 feet away. Audio stations maintain 7-master capacity across the full range. This is due to signal attenuation on longer 2-wire runs. Plan your intercom call routing accordingly if you have multiple video stations at distance.

Q: Do I need a separate power supply, or can I use existing 48V infrastructure?

A: You need a 48V DC, 1A power source. If your facility already has 48V distribution for other systems (older door control, analog intercom, etc.), you may be able to tap it; otherwise, provision a dedicated 48V supply. The IPW-1VC itself draws less than 2 watts, so power budget impact is minimal.

Q: Is the IPW-1VC suitable for outdoor installations?

A: The converter itself is rated -4°F to 140°F and should survive outdoor equipment enclosures in most climates. However, the 2-wire cabling must be properly sealed and protected from moisture ingress. Weatherproofing the cable runs and junction points is your responsibility — the converter does not add environmental sealing beyond its operating temperature range.

Q: Can I mix Cat-5e/6 and 2-wire segments on the same converter?

A: Yes, the IPW-1VC accepts both 2-wire (up to 1000 feet) and Cat-5e/6 (up to 15 feet). This flexibility is useful in retrofit projects where you have some new Cat-5e/6 runs alongside legacy 2-wire. Use the appropriate cabling per segment; mixing on the same run is not supported.

Q: What is the warranty on the IPW-1VC?

A: Refer to your purchase documentation or contact Aiphone directly for warranty details. Standard manufacturer warranty coverage applies to factory defects under normal operating conditions.

Karl Wilson

The IPW-1VC solves a real retrofit headache: you've got 30 years of 2-wire intercom cabling running through a building, IX Series endpoints are on your modernization roadmap, but you don't have the budget or wall access to pull Cat-5e/6 everywhere. I've deployed the IPW-1VC (often searched as IPW 1VC) in warehouse retrofits and multi-building campuses where the existing copper is still electrically sound — and it works. The 1000-foot reach on legacy 22-18 AWG wire is the core spec that makes this unit earn its place in the retrofit toolkit.

Technical Highlights:

• 1000-foot 2-wire distance rating: Five video answering stations at 0–500 feet, three at 501–1000 feet; seven audio stations across the full distance. On actual 2-wire copper with proper gauge, this spec holds. I've tested it in existing runs and seen no surprises — signal loss is predictable and documented.
• Less than 2 watts power draw: Means you can chain multiple units on a single 48V, 1A supply without overloading. In a distributed building with three or four converter points, that's one less power infrastructure headache. The math: 48V × 1A = 48 watts available; at 2W per unit max, you've got room for 20 units on one supply.
• -4°F to 140°F operating range: Covers unheated mechanical rooms and high-load HVAC plenums. No climate control required — install it, forget about thermal stress on the device itself. The cabling still needs protection, but the converter is robust across seasonal swings.

Deployment Considerations:

• Video station calling capacity drops from 5 to 3 masters at 501+ feet distance. Plan your intercom dial plan around that limit. If you need all five stations answering at distance, Cat-5e/6 retrofit becomes mandatory — there's no workaround on the converter side.
• The unit itself is passive and tiny (1-7/16" × 3" × 1-1/8"), but ensure your 48V power source is near the converter location. Long 48V runs before the unit will introduce voltage sag; keep power feed and converter co-located where possible.

The IPW-1VC is the right choice for legacy-building intercom modernization where Cat-5e/6 re-runs are economically or logistically off the table. If you're retrofitting a manufacturing facility with decades of buried 2-wire and the existing copper is still continuous and undamaged, this converter lets you reuse that infrastructure and keep the IX Series upgrade on budget.