Altronix NETWAYSP3LX 3-Port PoE Fiber Media Converter with 60W Power Supply
Overview
The Altronix NETWAYSP3LX is a 3-port PoE fiber media converter with an integrated 60W power supply, packaged in a NEMA 1 enclosure. It bridges fiber backbone runs to PoE-powered edge devices — cameras, access readers, intercoms — without requiring a separate power supply or external injector at the equipment closet. If you're extending IP security devices beyond copper Ethernet's 100-meter limit or isolating network segments across buildings, this is a compact, self-contained way to do it.
The unit is part of the broader Altronix power and networking line, which is built around the practical realities of security installations: consolidated power, flexible mounting, and compliance with commercial enclosure standards. The NETWAYSP3LX fits that pattern — fiber in, PoE copper out, power included, NEMA 1 box ready to mount in a closet or IDF.
Key Features
- 3 PoE Output Ports: Three downstream copper PoE ports let you consolidate a fiber-to-copper conversion point and power delivery for up to three edge devices from a single unit — eliminating the need for a separate PoE switch and media converter in space-constrained enclosures.
- 60W Integrated Power Supply: The onboard 60W supply powers both the media conversion circuitry and the connected PoE devices. At 60W total across three ports, budget roughly 15–20W per device if running all three simultaneously — appropriate for standard IP cameras and card readers operating under PoE (802.3af, 13W max per port) loads.
- Fiber Uplink: The fiber uplink allows cable runs well beyond Ethernet's 100-meter copper ceiling — typically 550m on multimode or 10km+ on single-mode fiber depending on the SFP or fixed interface used. This makes the NETWAYSP3LX practical for campus perimeter runs, inter-building links, and any installation where copper simply can't reach.
- NEMA 1 Enclosure: The NEMA 1 rating means the unit is suitable for indoor, dry locations — equipment rooms, IT closets, and secondary distribution frames. It keeps wiring organized and protected in a commercial-grade metal enclosure without requiring the environmental hardening (and cost) of NEMA 4 or outdoor-rated hardware.
- Self-Contained Design: Combining the media converter and power supply in one box reduces the parts count per installation point. Fewer components means fewer failure points to troubleshoot and a cleaner bill of materials when quoting projects with multiple fiber-to-copper conversion nodes.
- PoE Power Delivery to Edge Devices: By delivering PoE directly at the conversion point, the NETWAYSP3LX eliminates the need to run separate low-voltage power to each camera or reader on the far end of a fiber run — a real labor savings on multi-device drops across large campuses or warehouse facilities.
Integration & Compatibility
The NETWAYSP3LX is designed to integrate into standard IP security and access control architectures where fiber forms the backbone and copper PoE serves the last segment to edge devices. It pairs naturally with PoE network switches on the upstream side and feeds IP cameras, card readers, intercoms, or other PoE-class devices on the downstream ports. For multi-node deployments, pair with structured cabling infrastructure and PoE injectors or midspans where additional port density is needed beyond the three downstream ports this unit provides.
The NEMA 1 enclosure is compatible with standard wall-mount or rack-adjacent installation in commercial IDF closets. For deployments requiring outdoor or wet-location enclosures, a different Altronix variant with a higher NEMA rating would be the appropriate choice — the NETWAYSP3LX is strictly an indoor unit.
When planning power budgets, reference the Network & PoE Planning guide to confirm per-port wattage allocation across all three outputs stays within the 60W envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many PoE devices can the NETWAYSP3LX power simultaneously?
A: The NETWAYSP3LX has 3 downstream PoE ports and a 60W integrated power supply. The number of devices depends on per-device draw — three standard 802.3af cameras at ~13W each would consume roughly 39W, leaving headroom within the 60W budget. Running three higher-draw PoE+ devices simultaneously may approach or exceed the 60W ceiling, so confirm per-device wattage before finalizing the design.
Q: Is the NETWAYSP3LX rated for outdoor installation?
A: No. The NETWAYSP3LX carries a NEMA 1 enclosure rating, which is intended for indoor, dry locations only. For outdoor or wet-location installations, a higher NEMA-rated Altronix enclosure variant is required.
Q: What fiber type does the NETWAYSP3LX support?
A: The evidence available confirms fiber media conversion capability but does not specify the exact fiber type (multimode vs. single-mode) or connector interface from the source data. Contact pre-sales engineering for fiber interface confirmation before ordering.
Q: Does the NETWAYSP3LX include a power supply, or is one required separately?
A: The 60W power supply is integrated into the NETWAYSP3LX unit. No external power supply is required — this is a self-contained converter and power combination in a single NEMA 1 enclosure.
Q: What types of devices can be connected to the downstream PoE ports?
A: Any PoE-compatible IP device within the per-port and aggregate 60W power budget — typically IP cameras, access control card readers, IP intercoms, or similar edge devices. The unit is not limited to a specific device brand or category.
The NETWAYSP3LX solves a specific problem I run into constantly on campus and multi-building security projects: you have fiber in the backbone, your cameras and readers need PoE copper at the edge, and you don't want to spec a separate media converter plus a PoE injector plus a power supply for every closet drop. The 60W integrated supply in this unit handles all three functions in a single NEMA 1 box, which keeps the closet clean and simplifies the project BOM.
Technical Highlights:
- 60W Integrated Supply: At 60W across 3 ports, you're budgeting roughly 20W average per port — enough for standard 802.3af cameras and readers without external injection. Avoid stacking three PoE+ (25.5W) devices on this unit without confirming the aggregate draw stays under 60W.
- 3-Port PoE Output: Three downstream copper ports per fiber drop is a practical fit for small camera clusters — entrance vestibule with two cameras and a card reader, for example — without over-speccing a larger managed switch for what is functionally a terminal node.
- NEMA 1 Enclosure: Commercial-grade metal enclosure is appropriate for finished IDF rooms and equipment closets. It satisfies typical commercial installation standards without the cost premium of environmental hardening you don't need indoors.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify per-device PoE wattage before commissioning — the 60W aggregate budget is firm, and three simultaneously-active PoE+ devices could hit the ceiling depending on device class.
- NEMA 1 is strictly an indoor, dry-location rating. If your termination point is in a mechanical room with condensation risk or any outdoor-adjacent space, you need a different enclosure class — don't assume NEMA 1 covers damp or wet locations.
The NETWAYSP3LX is the right call for indoor IDF closets on campus security projects where you need to terminate a fiber backbone run and distribute PoE to a small cluster of edge devices — particularly entrance control points combining cameras and access readers on the same fiber drop.
