Hikvision DS-3E0518P-E 16-Port Gigabit PoE Switch
The Hikvision DS-3E0518P-E is a purpose-built unmanaged network switch designed to simplify deployment of IP camera and security device networks. With 16 Gigabit PoE ports delivering up to 30 W per port and a total PoE budget of 230 W, this switch provides both power and connectivity over a single cable—eliminating the need for separate power injectors or wall supplies for each device. The addition of one Gigabit RJ45 uplink port and one Gigabit SFP fiber port enables flexible network expansion without replacing hardware when your installation grows.
Key Features
- 16 Gigabit PoE Ports (IEEE 802.3af/at): Each port delivers up to 30 W, meaning you can run standard 5–8 MP cameras drawing 5–15 W each without concern. The 230 W total budget supports 7–8 simultaneous high-power devices—enough for mixed deployments combining cameras, wireless access points, and door readers on the same switch.
- Dual Uplink Options (RJ45 + SFP): Deploy a local uplink to your NVR or core switch via standard Ethernet, or use the SFP fiber port for long-distance runs across large campuses or to reach a redundant link—no need to buy a second switch.
- Unmanaged Plug-and-Play Operation: No VLAN configuration, QoS tuning, or spanning tree setup required. Power on, connect cables, and forward packets immediately. Ideal for integrators deploying multiple sites where zero-touch commissioning saves labor cost.
- 36 Gbps Switching Capacity: Aggregated throughput of 36 Gbps with 26.784 Mpps packet forwarding rate ensures no bandwidth bottleneck when all 16 ports push data simultaneously—critical for live multi-camera streaming or backup scenarios.
- Compact 1U Rack Form Factor: Dimensions of 440 × 44 × 220.8 mm fit standard 19-inch equipment racks. Integrated mounting ears support quick installation in network closets or equipment cages without additional hardware.
- Industrial-Grade Durability: Metal chassis with 6 kV surge protection guards against power spikes from lightning strikes or electrical faults—a real concern in outdoor surveillance networks or facilities with inconsistent power quality. Operating temperature range of –10 °C to 55 °C handles both heated server rooms and uninsulated shelters; humidity tolerance to 95% (non-condensing) prevents condensation issues in damp environments.
- Energy-Efficient Idle State: Only 20 W power consumption at rest and 250 W maximum under full load. For sites running 24/7 surveillance, this translates to roughly 175 kWh per year—a meaningful difference across a portfolio of 50+ installations.
Power Management and Specifications
Universal AC input (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz) eliminates region-specific power supply variants—stock one PSU globally. PoE follows end-span wiring standards (pins 1/2 positive, 3/6 negative) compatible with standard Cat5e and Cat6 cabling infrastructure already in place at most sites.
The 4.1 Mbit internal cache buffers packet bursts, and the 8 K MAC address table handles mid-sized networks without address table exhaustion—typical for 50–100 camera deployments. A 36 Gbps switching fabric ensures line-rate forwarding: no queuing delays, no packet loss during peak traffic.
Compliance and Deployment Context
Full EMC certification (FCC, CE, IC, RCM) and safety approvals (UL, CB, CE-LVD) plus RoHS compliance align with North American, European, and Asia-Pacific regulatory requirements. Deploy with confidence in enterprise, retail, transportation, and municipal environments.
This switch is ideal for enterprise surveillance networks, access control systems, building management systems, retail chains, and multi-location deployments where unmanaged simplicity and PoE power distribution are paramount. The dual uplink ports support seamless network expansion—add a second switch or NVR without replacing existing infrastructure.
When to Choose a Different Model
The DS-3E0518P-E is unmanaged: no VLAN isolation, QoS prioritization, or loop detection. If your deployment requires multi-building network segmentation, traffic shaping, or redundancy across switches, consider a managed network switch from the Hikvision industrial line instead. Similarly, if you need to power more than 8 simultaneous high-draw devices (e.g., 8× 30 W pan-tilt-zoom cameras), calculate your actual wattage and confirm the 230 W budget covers your mix—do not oversubscribe.
Integration with Surveillance Infrastructure
The DS-3E0518P-E pairs naturally with Hikvision NVRs and third-party ONVIF-compliant cameras. Plug the RJ45 uplink into your NVR's management port; power all cameras from the PoE ports. No additional switching or routing required for standard flat network topologies. For PoE switch sizing guidance, consult installation checklists to confirm your device wattages fit within the 230 W envelope.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The DS-3E0518P-E is a workhorse unmanaged backbone for PoE camera networks. Its unmanaged architecture eliminates configuration overhead—critical for integrators managing 20, 50, or 100 sites where every hour of commissioning labor scales up costs. The 230 W PoE budget is substantial: pair it with standard 5–8 MP cameras drawing 5–15 W each, and you'll have headroom for mixed deployments.
Technical Highlights:
- 36 Gbps switching capacity with 26.784 Mpps: No bandwidth starvation when all 16 ports stream simultaneously—meaningful for backup or live multi-stream scenarios where a cheaper 10 Gbps switch would choke.
- Dual uplink ports (RJ45 + SFP): Use RJ45 for local NVR uplinks or SFP for long-distance fiber runs on large campuses—flexibility that saves hardware cost and future-proofs the installation.
- 20 W idle, 250 W max under load: 24/7 operation costs roughly 175 kWh/year per unit—a real factor when power budgeting across multi-site portfolios.
- 6 kV surge protection + industrial temperature range (–10 °C to 55 °C): Protects against outdoor power transients and temperature swings; 95% humidity tolerance prevents condensation in damp shelters.
Deployment Considerations:
- Unmanaged means no VLAN isolation, QoS, or loop detection—appropriate for flat networks but not multi-building deployments requiring segmentation or traffic prioritization.
- Do not oversubscribe the 230 W budget. Eight simultaneous 30 W devices (like motorized PTZs) will max the supply. Calculate your actual load and confirm margin before ordering.
- End-span PoE wiring (pins 1/2 positive, 3/6 negative) is standard, so existing Cat5e and Cat6 runs are compatible—no recabling required.
Best fit: retail chains, enterprise campuses, and access control installations where 50–100 standard-power cameras connect to a single NVR. The dual uplinks and industrial durability make it reliable for unmanned outdoor cabinets. Skip this model if you need managed VLAN segmentation or power density beyond 230 W.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I power 16 cameras at 30 W each from the DS-3E0518P-E?
A: No. The total PoE budget is 230 W, not per-port. At 30 W per device, you can power approximately 7–8 cameras simultaneously. If all 16 ports draw maximum power, the switch will throttle or shut down ports to protect the power supply. Always calculate your actual device wattages and confirm the total is below 230 W before deployment.
Q: Is the DS-3E0518P-E managed or unmanaged?
A: It is unmanaged. There is no web interface, CLI, or configuration menu. The switch forwards all traffic between ports automatically with no VLAN, QoS, or spanning tree options. This simplifies installation but prevents traffic segmentation or redundancy loop detection. If you need VLAN isolation or traffic shaping, you require a managed switch.
Q: What is the difference between the RJ45 and SFP uplink ports?
A: Both are 1 Gbps uplinks. Use the RJ45 for standard copper Ethernet connections to an NVR or core switch over short distances (up to 100 m). Use the SFP fiber port for long-distance runs across campuses or to another building—fiber is immune to electrical noise and supports distances up to 2 km depending on the SFP transceiver. You can use both simultaneously for redundancy if your network design requires it.
Q: Does the DS-3E0518P-E support IEEE 802.3at (PoE+)?
A: Yes. The switch supports both IEEE 802.3af (15.4 W) and IEEE 802.3at (30 W) standards. Each port can deliver up to 30 W; the 230 W total budget is shared across all 16 ports. If a device requests only 15 W (802.3af), the switch supplies exactly that, leaving the remaining budget for other devices.
Q: What is the operating temperature range?
A: The DS-3E0518P-E operates from –10 °C to 55 °C (14 °F to 131 °F). This range covers heated indoor spaces and uninsulated outdoor cabinets in temperate climates but may require thermal management or relocation in extreme heat (above 55 °C) or cold (below –10 °C). Storage temperature tolerance extends to –40 °C to 85 °C if the unit is powered down.
Q: Is the DS-3E0518P-E rack-mountable?
A: Yes. The switch has a 1U form factor (440 × 44 × 220.8 mm) with integrated mounting ears for 19-inch equipment racks. Mount it horizontally in a standard network closet cabinet.
