Altronix NETWAYSP3LWPX 3-Port Gigabit PoE Switch with LiFePO4 Backup and NEMA4 Enclosure
Overview
The Altronix NETWAYSP3LWPX consolidates a managed Gigabit PoE switch, 56VDC power supply, and LiFePO4 battery backup into a single NEMA4/4X-rated enclosure — the kind of all-in-one edge node that simplifies outdoor and industrial surveillance deployments where running separate infrastructure to a remote camera cluster is cost-prohibitive. Rated for operation from -40°C to 75°C and sealed to IP66, this unit is built for mounting at the point of installation rather than back at a climate-controlled IDF. For integrators working across network switch and power supply categories, the NETWAYSP3LWPX eliminates the coordination overhead of sourcing and mounting three separate components.
Key Features
- Three 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE Ports (802.3af/at/bt): All three RJ-45 ports support the full 802.3bt standard — up to 90W per port at the chip level — within the unit's 75W total budget. That budget covers a pair of PoE+ PTZ cameras or a mix of fixed cameras and a door controller without requiring a separate injector.
- Gigabit SFP Uplink: The fiber SFP port provides the WAN uplink path, enabling long-distance runs back to the head-end switch without copper distance limitations. For perimeter deployments where the nearest IDF is 300+ meters away, fiber is the only viable uplink — this unit handles it natively.
- 75W Total PoE Power Budget: Delivered at 56VDC / 1.3A output, the on-board power supply feeds the PoE budget directly. No external brick or DIN rail supply needed — the enclosure contains the complete power conversion stage, which reduces wiring labor and points of failure at the edge node.
- 12V LiFePO4 Battery Backup (0.75A Charging): LiFePO4 chemistry holds a charge through more cycles than standard lead-acid and tolerates the -40°C to 85°C storage range this enclosure will see in outdoor installations. When AC drops, the unit bridges the gap automatically — keeping cameras and access readers online through brief outages without a separate UPS.
- NEMA4/4X and IP66 Enclosure: NEMA 4X is the benchmark for outdoor electrical enclosures exposed to rain, hose-down, and corrosive atmospheres. IP66 confirms the same from the IEC side. Mount this unit on a pole, building exterior, or industrial wall without a secondary weatherproof housing.
- -40°C to 75°C Operating Range: The full industrial temperature span means this unit functions in northern Minnesota winters and Phoenix summers without derating. Most commercial PoE switches are rated to 0°C at best — if your project spec includes outdoor mounting, that distinction matters at commissioning time.
- Dual-Voltage AC Input (115VAC or 230VAC): Accepts either North American or international mains voltage without rewiring, which simplifies international project deployments and reduces SKU proliferation on multi-site contracts.
- CE Agency Listing: CE marking confirms the unit meets EU electromagnetic compatibility and safety directives — required for any project with European delivery or export compliance requirements.
Integration and Compatibility
The NETWAYSP3LWPX fits naturally into distributed IP camera deployments where cameras are clustered at remote locations — parking structures, loading docks, perimeter fence lines — and fiber backhaul runs to a central NVR or VMS server. The 802.3af/at/bt port compatibility covers virtually the full range of current PoE surveillance devices. Pair with a network video recorder at the head end and fiber patch panels at both ends of the SFP run. For project planning, review the PoE switch selection guide to confirm budget allocation before finalizing camera models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the total PoE power budget on the NETWAYSP3LWPX?
A: The unit delivers 75W total across all three PoE ports (802.3af/at/bt). The power supply outputs 56VDC at 1.3A to support this budget — plan your camera and device wattages against this ceiling before finalizing the device mix.
Q: What type of battery backup does the NETWAYSP3LWPX use?
A: It uses a 12V LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery, charged at 0.75A. LiFePO4 is preferred over lead-acid for outdoor enclosures due to its wider temperature tolerance (-40°C to 85°C storage) and longer cycle life.
Q: Is the NETWAYSP3LWPX rated for outdoor installation without an additional enclosure?
A: Yes. The enclosure is rated NEMA4/4X and IP66, which means it is sealed against rain, windblown dust, and hose-directed water. It does not require a secondary weatherproof housing for standard outdoor pole or wall mounting.
Q: What input voltage does the NETWAYSP3LWPX accept?
A: The unit accepts either 115VAC or 230VAC, making it compatible with North American and international mains without rewiring or a separate transformer.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the NETWAYSP3LWPX?
A: Operating range is -40°C to 75°C, covering full industrial outdoor conditions in both cold and hot climates. Storage temperature extends to -40°C to 85°C.
Q: Does the NETWAYSP3LWPX include a fiber uplink port?
A: Yes. It includes one Gigabit SFP port for fiber uplink, enabling long-distance runs back to the head-end switch without copper distance constraints.
The NETWAYSP3LWPX is the kind of unit I reach for when a project drops three cameras at a remote perimeter location and running conduit back to the IDF isn't in the budget or the schedule. The -40°C to 75°C operating range and NEMA4/4X housing mean I can mount it on a pole in Minnesota in January and not revisit it until something else breaks.
Technical Highlights:
- 75W PoE Budget at 56VDC: Enough headroom for two PoE+ devices plus a third 802.3af load simultaneously — useful when a mix of a PTZ camera, fixed camera, and card reader share the same edge node.
- LiFePO4 Battery Chemistry: The 12V LiFePO4 pack tolerates the same temperature extremes as the enclosure itself (-40°C to 85°C storage), unlike lead-acid which degrades rapidly in cold. The 0.75A charge rate means recovery after a power event is measured in hours, not a full shift.
- Gigabit SFP Uplink: Fiber uplink removes the 100-meter copper constraint entirely — critical for perimeter runs that commonly reach 200–500 meters back to the head-end closet.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 75W total budget is shared across all three PoE ports — map each device's actual wattage before commissioning. Two 802.3bt devices at 60W each will exceed the budget; design accordingly.
- The enclosure dimensions are 17.53
