Altronix NETWAY5BTQWPX 4-Port PoE++ Managed Switch with NEMA 4/4x Enclosure
Overview
The Altronix NETWAY5BTQWPX is a hardened, self-contained PoE++ switch and power supply housed in a NEMA 4/4x (IP66) enclosure — built specifically for outdoor and industrial surveillance deployments where a standard rack-mount switch would fail. Four IEEE 802.3bt ports deliver up to 90W each, with a 240W total power budget, making this the right tool when you're powering multi-sensor cameras, pan-tilt-zoom units, or high-wattage access control readers that exceed what 802.3at (PoE+) can provide. If you're specifying a system where cameras need more than 30W per drop, the NETWAY5BTQWPX closes that gap cleanly.
The unit integrates a 24VDC battery charger, allowing you to wire in an external battery for UPS continuity — a meaningful design choice on perimeter systems where a power interruption can't drop every camera simultaneously. Five gigabit RJ45 ports (10/100/1000 Mbps, CAT5e or higher, up to 100m) handle both uplink and device connections, and 802.1Q Tagged VLAN support lets you segment up to 10 VLAN groups across the 2–4095 ID range — useful when mixing camera traffic with access control or other network devices on the same physical run.
Key Features
- 90W per PoE++ Port (802.3bt): Four ports each capable of delivering 90W means you can power the latest generation of multi-sensor PTZ cameras, heated camera housings, or high-draw access controllers without adding a separate power injector or midspan. If a device draws under 15.4W (802.3af) or under 30W (802.3at), the port negotiates down automatically — you're not wasting power on lower-draw devices.
- 240W Total PoE Budget: With all four ports active, the switch sustains 240W aggregate — enough for four 60W devices simultaneously. At 150W draw (two lower-wattage cameras), the operating temperature ceiling rises to 75°C, giving you thermal headroom in hot-side enclosures.
- NEMA 4/4x, IP66 Enclosure: The enclosure is rated for rain, windblown water, and dust — deployable on exterior walls, utility poles, or equipment pads without a separate weatherproof housing. NEMA 4x adds corrosion resistance beyond basic NEMA 4, relevant in coastal or chemical-adjacent environments. This is not a stripped-down outdoor box — it's a fully sealed unit rated to -30°C on the low end.
- -30°C to 55°C Operating Range (at Full 240W Load): Most managed PoE switches specify 0°C to 45°C. This unit operates at full power output down to -30°C, which is the deciding spec for northern-climate outdoor deployments where a standard switch would need a heated enclosure to survive winter.
- 802.1Q VLAN (Up to 10 Groups, IDs 2–4095): VLAN segmentation at the edge keeps camera traffic isolated from building management or guest network data without running separate cable infrastructure. Ten VLAN groups handle the typical mixed-device deployments at remote nodes.
- Integrated 24VDC Battery Charger: Wiring an external battery gives this unit UPS functionality — cameras and readers stay up during short power events without relying on a centralized UPS at the main panel. The charger is built into the unit, so no additional charge controller is required.
- Five Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000 Mbps): Full gigabit throughput on all five ports means high-resolution multi-stream cameras won't saturate the uplink. RJ45 connections over standard CAT5e or better up to 100m per IEEE standards — no proprietary cabling requirements.
- Dual-Voltage AC Input (115VAC or 230VAC): The 115VAC/60Hz (1.8A) and 230VAC/50–60Hz (1A) dual-input accepts both North American and international power without a transformer — relevant for global deployments or sites with non-standard power panels. A 5A/250V input fuse provides over-current protection.
Integration and Compatibility
The NETWAY5BTQWPX sits at the edge of your surveillance network — typically deployed at a remote node (parking structure, perimeter fence line, gate house) where it terminates camera and reader drops before uplink back to a core switch or NVR. The four 802.3bt ports are backward-compatible with 802.3af and 802.3at devices, so existing lower-wattage cameras integrate without adapters. The gigabit uplink handles aggregated multi-camera bandwidth back to your network video recorder or core switch without bottlenecking. For system architects selecting PoE switches for outdoor surveillance nodes, this unit's integrated enclosure, battery charger, and 802.3bt capability consolidate what would otherwise be three separate line items. Review the Altronix surveillance power and networking catalog for complementary mid-span injectors, power supplies, and surge protection that pair with this unit. If you're building a complete perimeter system, pairing this switch with compatible outdoor IP cameras rated for 802.3bt ensures you're using the full 90W per port budget where it matters. Consult a camera selection guide to match camera power draw against port budget before finalizing your BOM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many watts can each PoE port on the NETWAY5BTQWPX deliver?
A: Each of the four PoE ports supports IEEE 802.3bt and delivers up to 90W per port. The total system PoE budget is 240W across all four ports simultaneously.
Q: Can the NETWAY5BTQWPX power standard 802.3af and 802.3at cameras, or only 802.3bt devices?
A: The ports are backward-compatible with 802.3af (up to 15.4W) and 802.3at (up to 30W) devices. The port negotiates power class automatically, so lower-draw cameras work without any adapter or configuration change.
Q: What does the NEMA 4/4x rating mean for outdoor installation?
A: NEMA 4 covers protection against windblown rain, splashing, and dust. NEMA 4x adds corrosion resistance — relevant for coastal, chemical-adjacent, or high-humidity environments. The IP66 rating confirms it meets the equivalent international ingress protection standard. This enclosure is rated for direct outdoor mounting without an additional weatherproof housing.
Q: Does the NETWAY5BTQWPX include UPS or battery backup functionality?
A: The unit includes an integrated 24VDC battery charger. You supply an external battery; the charger conditions and maintains it. When AC power is interrupted, connected cameras and devices continue operating from the battery without requiring a separate charge controller or external UPS.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the NETWAY5BTQWPX?
A: At full 240W PoE load, the unit operates from -30°C to 55°C. At reduced loads of 180W the ceiling rises to 65°C, and at 150W the ceiling is 75°C. Storage temperature range is -40°C to 85°C.
Q: Does the NETWAY5BTQWPX support VLAN configuration?
A: Yes. The unit supports IEEE 802.1Q Tagged VLAN with up to 10 VLAN groups and VLAN IDs from 2 to 4095. This allows traffic segmentation between cameras, access control readers, and other network devices sharing the same physical infrastructure.
When I spec a perimeter node for a large campus or industrial site, the NETWAY5BTQWPX is often the unit that replaces three line items on the BOM: the outdoor switch, the power supply, and the battery charger. The 90W-per-port 802.3bt capability is the headline, but the -30°C low-end operating spec is what wins the project in northern climates — most competitive units need a heated enclosure to survive a Minnesota winter at full load, and this one doesn't.
Technical Highlights:
- 90W per port / 240W total budget: Covers the highest-draw 802.3bt PTZ cameras and multi-sensor units currently on the market — no midspan injectors, no separate power taps. Four ports at 60W average lands you exactly at the 240W ceiling.
- Integrated 24VDC battery charger: Connect an external battery and you have edge-node UPS without a separate charge controller. For perimeter cameras on a utility easement, this is the difference between a 2-minute outage and a 20-minute gap in your recording timeline.
- NEMA 4/4x + IP66 at -30°C to 55°C: The enclosure doesn't require a secondary weatherproof cabinet. At 17.53" x 15.3" x 6.67" and 10.32 lb., it mounts directly on a wall or pole without additional structure — a meaningful labor saving on multi-node installs.
Deployment Considerations:
- At full 240W draw (four 60W cameras), thermal headroom tightens to 55°C ambient — plan airflow or shade accordingly in south-facing outdoor installations. Backing off to 150W total draw opens the ceiling to 75°C if you're in a hot climate.
- The 802.1Q VLAN implementation supports up to 10 groups with IDs 2–4095, but verify your core switch supports the same tagging scheme before segmenting camera and access control traffic at the edge — a VLAN mismatch here is a silent failure that's annoying to diagnose post-installation.
This unit is a strong fit for perimeter surveillance nodes on industrial campuses, correctional facilities, and large parking structures where high-wattage PTZ cameras, heated housings, and battery continuity all need to coexist in a single sealed enclosure without running conduit back to the equipment room for every power device.
