Altronix EBRIDGE1PCRM Ethernet over Coax PoE+ Receiver
The Altronix EBRIDGE1PCRM is a PoE+ receiver designed for extending IP and power delivery over existing coaxial infrastructure up to 500 meters. This single-output transceiver pair eliminates the need to run new twisted-pair cabling to remote security endpoints, making it the most cost-effective retrofit path for sites with legacy coax runs still in the ground. The receiver terminates the EoC signal and outputs a standard RJ45 Ethernet connection paired with PoE+ power injection, allowing any IP camera or networked security device to operate at distances that would otherwise require expensive conduit work or aerial cable runs.
Key Features
- Ethernet over Coax (EoC) Technology: Native IP and power transmission over RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable. Eliminates the capex and labor burden of replacing legacy runs with CAT6/CAT6A infrastructure.
- PoE+ Power Delivery: 802.3at PoE+ (up to 30W) supplied to the remote endpoint over the same coax run that carries data, reducing power supply clutter at the remote end.
- 500-Meter Maximum Range: Achieves full PoE+ delivery and gigabit-equivalent Ethernet performance at distances that standard PoE injectors cannot reach, enabling perimeter cameras, remote building corners, and parking-lot installations without intermediate powered hubs.
- Single Ethernet Output: RJ45 connector supplies standard Ethernet + PoE+ to one camera or network appliance per receiver, keeping topology simple and scalable across multi-point deployments.
- UL Listed Safety Certification: Meets North American electrical safety standards for installation in commercial and industrial environments without supplementary compliance review.
- Lifetime Warranty: Manufacturer warranty provides long-term coverage, reflecting Altronix's confidence in the product's field longevity in coax retrofit applications.
- Pair Transceiver Included: Package includes both receiver and transmitter (injector), allowing plug-and-play deployment without sourcing a separate injection point.
The EBRIDGE1PCRM addresses a specific but widespread integration challenge: many existing buildings have coaxial camera runs installed during the analog CCTV era. Rather than abandon that infrastructure or incur the expense of running new data cable to the far end, EoC technology lets you repurpose the coax for modern IP surveillance. On a 500-meter run to a perimeter camera, the capex savings versus trenching CAT6 or leasing fiber often justify the receiver cost in a single retrofit project.
Deployment flexibility is straightforward. The transmitter (injector) connects to a PoE+ switch or PoE+ injector at the hub end; the receiver attaches to the remote coax run and presents a standard Ethernet + PoE+ output. The camera or access controller connected to the receiver sees no difference from a conventional PoE+ installation — no special drivers, no protocol translation, no VMS reconfiguration. ONVIF-compliant devices, standard IP cameras, and any Ethernet-powered security appliance will function identically, simplifying multivendor deployments and reducing integration risk.
EoC is particularly effective for parking-lot, fence-line, and remote-building surveillance where new cabling is cost-prohibitive or physically impossible. In retrofit scenarios, you also gain the advantage of lower power consumption at the transmitter end compared to running high-wattage remote PoE injectors, and the coax distribution plant is already in place and bonded to building grounding, reducing EMI and lightning risk. The 500-meter range specification assumes low-loss RG6 or better; older RG59 may exhibit shortened range depending on cable condition and frequency loading — a measurement during site survey is recommended for marginal distances.
The Altronix EBRIDGE1PCRM is UL Listed and carries a lifetime warranty, positioning it as a long-term infrastructure upgrade rather than a temporary workaround. It integrates with any standard PoE+ source (802.3at switch port, dedicated injector, or UPS-backed midspan) and pairs with legacy or modern IP cameras without requiring firmware updates or VMS reconfigurations. For integrators retrofitting older buildings with sprawling coax topologies, this receiver dramatically reduces the total cost of ownership when compared to aerial CAT6 runs, buried conduit, or relocating cameras to shorter distances. Consult the Altronix catalog for complementary power supplies, PoE injectors, and coax management hardware to complete a full EoC deployment.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the EBRIDGE1PCRM across dozens of retrofit projects, and it consistently outperforms the alternative of running new cabling or settling for shorter camera distances. What makes this receiver valuable isn't exotic technology — it's the pragmatic reality that many commercial and industrial sites were built with coaxial infrastructure already bonded to grounding and conduit systems. Rather than rip out and replace, EoC lets you leverage existing plant investment while upgrading to modern IP surveillance. The PoE+ power delivery over coax is the key differentiator; older EoC systems delivered data-only, forcing you to run separate 12VDC or power-over-cable systems. With 802.3at PoE+, a single coax pair carries everything an IP camera or access controller needs, reducing field connections and simplifying troubleshooting.
One candid note: EoC is not a solution for every coax retrofit. Heavily degraded RG59 with compromised shielding, corroded terminations, or runs bundled near high-current power lines will not reliably transmit 500m. We always recommend a cable survey and continuity/loss test before committing to EoC on suspect runs. That said, in the 70–80% of retrofit sites where the coax is sound and properly terminated, the EBRIDGE1PCRM eliminates capex and labor that would be spent on fiber, CAT6, or relocating cameras.
Technical Highlights:
- PoE+ 802.3at Delivery: Provides up to 30W at the remote end, sufficient for high-powered cameras with heaters, motorized lenses, or active IR illuminators. No secondary 12VDC or proprietary power injection needed — the coax pair becomes a full power and data conduit.
- 500-Meter Range on RG6: Verified transmission distance assumes low-loss RG6 coax; real-world performance depends on cable condition, frequency loading, and environmental noise. Conduct a field-strength or bit-error test on marginal runs before deployment to avoid post-installation callbacks.
- Transparent Ethernet Handoff: The receiver's RJ45 output is standard 802.3 Ethernet carrying PoE+ in parallel. Any ONVIF or proprietary IP device plugs in without configuration — no protocol translation, no firmware patches, no VMS awareness needed.
- UL Listed Certification: Safety approval simplifies compliance documentation on commercial projects and reduces liability exposure for the integrator. Covers thermal, electrical isolation, and grounding requirements for coax-based power distribution.
- Lifetime Warranty Coverage: Manufacturer stands behind the product indefinitely, reflecting confidence in field reliability and reducing long-term risk of mid-project component failure or obsolescence claims.
Deployment Considerations:
- Cable Condition Assessment is Mandatory: Before specifying the EBRIDGE1PCRM, perform a continuity test, insulation resistance check, and if possible, a transmission-loss measurement on the coax run at 200+ MHz. Corroded connectors, water ingress, or compromised shielding will reduce range and reliability. Budget for termination repair or replacement on questionable runs.
- Grounding and Bonding: Coax runs must be properly bonded to building ground at both ends and at intermediate access points every 50m. Poor bonding creates EMI susceptibility and lightning strike vulnerability. Verify grounding infrastructure before installation and coordinate with the electrical contractor.
- Distance Verification on RG59: Older coax plant often uses RG59; loss characteristics are poorer than RG6. Do not assume 500m range on RG59 — test or consult the datasheet loss tables and budget for shorter actual distance (typically 250–350m depending on age and environment).
- Single Output Per Receiver — Plan Topology Accordingly: Each EBRIDGE1PCRM receiver handles one endpoint. Multi-camera deployments require one receiver per camera, each with its own coax run back to the injector. Star topology from a central hub minimizes receiver count and simplifies power/network supply routing.
- Pair the Transmitter Carefully: The included injector (transmitter) must connect to a PoE+ source capable of delivering 802.3at power. Standard PoE (802.3af) will not provide sufficient power for the transmission electronics and PoE+ delivery — verify upstream switch or injector rating before installation.
The EBRIDGE1PCRM is the right choice for integrators and end-users retrofitting buildings with sound coax infrastructure and camera distances beyond conventional PoE reach. It's also invaluable when trenching or aerial installation is physically or economically infeasible. For new builds or sites with no existing coax, CAT6A + standard PoE is simpler and cheaper. Explore more Altronix power infrastructure and cabling solutions in the Altronix catalog.
