Altronix NETWAY1 Single-Port PoE Midspan Injector
The Altronix NETWAY1 is a single-port midspan PoE injector designed to inject 15W of IEEE-standard power directly into an existing Ethernet run, enabling retrofit deployment of PoE-powered devices where dedicated power infrastructure is unavailable or impractical. Unlike endpoint injectors that sit at the camera, the NETWAY1 positions power injection at the midspan — at the point where your existing CAT5e or CAT6 horizontal cabling meets your network infrastructure — minimizing disruption to installed systems and reducing the need for new conduit or cable pulls.
Key Features
- Single-port midspan architecture: Inject power into one existing cable run without replacing switches or adding downstream complexity. Ideal when you need to power a single camera or access point in an otherwise unpowered network segment.
- 15W IEEE 802.3af/at compliance: Delivers sufficient power for most fixed IP cameras, access points, and wireless bridges. This power budget is suitable for cameras drawing under 13W; higher-power devices (e.g., PTZ cameras, dual-sensor turrets, or heating elements) will exceed this limit and require an alternative.
- 100-meter maximum transmission range: Standard twisted-pair cabling supports power and data delivery to endpoints up to 100 meters away. Beyond this distance, signal degradation and voltage drop compromise performance — plan accordingly for distributed outdoor perimeter deployments.
- 230VAC mains input: Connects to standard facility AC power without requiring a separate 12VDC or 24VDC power supply infrastructure. This simplifies integration in retrofit scenarios where only AC is available near the injection point.
- Passive design with no active monitoring: No management interface, no IP address assignment, no firmware updates required. Power flows passively through the injector — what you see is what you get. This also means no visibility into power draw or device health at the injection point.
- UL Listed and CE certified: Meets North American and European regulatory requirements for networked power delivery equipment. Appropriate for commercial and industrial installations with compliance audit requirements.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covered under Altronix's standard warranty program, providing long-term support without recurring renewal fees.
Integration & Compatibility
The NETWAY1 operates with any standard IEEE 802.3af-compliant powered device — cameras, access points, access control readers, intercoms, and wireless bridges that draw 15W or less. Because it injects power at the midspan, the upstream switch does not need PoE capability; your non-PoE switch can coexist with the NETWAY1 providing power downstream. However, ensure the device connected to the opposite end of the cable supports PoE input — non-PoE endpoints will not function correctly with injected power.
For PoE power planning across larger deployments, consider the 15W ceiling carefully. If your environment includes cameras with integrated heaters, pan-tilt-zoom motors, or dual-sensor arrays, those devices typically require 30W–95W and will not operate on this injector. In mixed environments, pair the NETWAY1 with a higher-capacity PoE switch or managed injector for devices exceeding the 15W threshold.
Deployment Scenarios
The NETWAY1 is purpose-built for four common retrofit situations: single-camera additions to existing unpowered cabling, emergency or temporary surveillance deployments using installed infrastructure, remote access point or wireless bridge activation in perimeter network segments, and intercom or door access control power delivery where dedicated circuits are unavailable. It is less suitable for greenfield deployments where a managed PoE+ or PoE++ switch would provide centralized power, analytics visibility, and redundancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple NETWAY1 units on a single cable run?
A: No. Midspan injectors are designed for single insertion per cable run. Stacking injectors on the same pair will cause power conflicts and potential equipment damage.
Q: What happens if I connect a 30W camera to the NETWAY1?
A: The camera will not receive sufficient power to operate normally. It may boot partially, exhibit intermittent resets, or fail to initialize auxiliary systems (IR illuminators, heaters, pan-tilt motors). Always verify powered-device power draw before injection.
Q: Does the NETWAY1 require a separate ground conductor?
A: No. PoE power and data share the same twisted-pair cabling per IEEE 802.3af/at. No additional grounding is required beyond standard facility AC ground for the 230VAC mains connection.
Q: Is the NETWAY1 suitable for outdoor installations?
A: The injector itself is rated for indoor use. However, the PoE output over the cable run supports outdoor endpoints if the cabling is properly routed in conduit or direct bury. Ensure the powered device (e.g., outdoor camera) carries appropriate IP and IK ratings for environmental exposure.
Q: What is the difference between the NETWAY1 and a PoE switch?
A: The NETWAY1 is a passive midspan injector for single-port retrofit scenarios. A PoE switch provides centralized power and network switching for multiple ports simultaneously, offering management visibility, redundancy, and higher power budgets. Choose the NETWAY1 for point-injection; choose a switch for multi-device infrastructure.
Q: Does the NETWAY1 work with non-PoE switches upstream?
A: Yes. The switch only needs to pass data and power; it does not need PoE capability itself. However, ensure the downstream device is PoE-capable and draws 15W or less.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The NETWAY1 solves a specific retrofit problem cleanly: you have existing cabling, no PoE at the source, and a single device that needs power. The 15W budget and 100-meter range are hard limits — respect them, and this injector works; ignore them, and you'll debug power failures in the field. I see this deployed most often in small-to-medium warehouse automation systems where a single access control reader or wireless bridge sits at the end of a long horizontal run and the nearest switch offers no PoE.
Technical Highlights:
- 15W IEEE 802.3af/at power delivery: Sufficient for fixed cameras (most 2–5MP models draw 8–12W), basic access points, and wireless bridges. If your device spec sheet shows power draw above 15W, this injector will undersupply it — budget overage leading to intermittent resets or failed auxiliary functions (heaters, IR).
- 230VAC mains input: Means you don't need a separate 12VDC or 24VDC power supply running alongside the injector. In retrofit scenarios where only AC is available, this simplifies the electrical plan and reduces panel clutter.
- Passive design — no management overhead: Zero configuration, zero firmware, zero IP address. What you lose is visibility — you cannot monitor power draw, detect device disconnection, or see fault conditions at the injector. For environments requiring management telemetry, a managed PoE switch or injector with SNMP is the better choice.
- 100-meter range on standard twisted-pair: Typical horizontal runs in commercial buildings fit comfortably under this limit. Field deployments in industrial warehouses or outdoor perimeter runs often exceed 100 meters — plan your cable paths accordingly, or accept the risk of voltage drop and data corruption.
Deployment Considerations:
- Always verify the downstream device is PoE-compliant and draws 15W or less. Non-PoE devices will be damaged by injected DC voltage; over-budget devices will fail or operate erratically.
- The NETWAY1 offers no redundancy and no failover. If the injector fails, that cable run loses power — no automatic switchover to a backup path. For critical systems, use a managed PoE switch with dual-power-supply topology instead.
- Midspan injection does not support powered device discovery or centralized management. You are responsible for tracking which device is on which injector and managing its configuration separately.
Position the NETWAY1 in small retrofit or emergency-deployment scenarios where a single existing cabling run needs power activation and the device power requirement is known and stable. For multi-device infrastructure, centralized management, or devices exceeding 15W, step up to a PoE+ switch or managed injector platform.
