Altronix RE2 Rack Mount PoE Battery Backup System
The Altronix RE2 is a rack-mounted power distribution and battery backup system built for professional security and network infrastructure deployments where AC failure cannot interrupt operations. It delivers 120W of PoE power across five Ethernet ports, integrates a battery backup module for continuous operation during mains loss, and supports Ethernet-over-Coax transmission to push PoE delivery up to 500 meters from the source. This combination makes the RE2 suited for distributed surveillance architectures, access control systems with redundant power requirements, and network edge installations where multiple devices must remain powered through brief or extended outages.
Key Features
- 120W PoE Power Budget: Five Ethernet ports share 120W of PoE output, allowing simultaneous powering of multiple IP cameras, access control readers, wireless access points, or network devices without requiring separate 12VDC supplies or wall-mount power injectors at each endpoint — a significant operational simplification in equipment racks and remote enclosures.
- Integrated Battery Backup: Built-in battery module ensures continuous PoE delivery if AC mains fails, maintaining camera streams, door strikes, and sensor telemetry for the duration the battery can sustain the load — critical in installations where power loss cannot cause security blind spots.
- 500-Meter Ethernet-over-Coax Reach: Transmits PoE and data over existing legacy coax runs (common in older surveillance infrastructures), extending PoE delivery far beyond the 100-meter copper Ethernet standard without requiring new cabling — a cost and labor advantage in retrofit projects or buildings with fixed coax runs.
- Rack-Mount Form Factor: 1U or 2U profile (verify datasheet for exact height) fits standard 19-inch equipment racks, consolidating power distribution in a single managed point rather than scattered wall supplies or UPS units.
- 230VAC Input Voltage: Accepts standard commercial mains power, typical in North American and international installations, with automatic mains-loss detection triggering battery takeover.
- UL Listed and CE Certified: Meets North American and European safety standards, reducing compliance friction in regulated deployments and satisfying most building authority electrical inspection requirements.
- Five Network Output Ports: Distributes PoE to five separate devices from a single unit, reducing cable counts and simplifying provisioning in closets or equipment rooms where space is constrained.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covers defects in materials and workmanship, offering long-term peace of mind on a critical infrastructure component that, if it fails, can cascade across multiple dependent systems.
Deployment Scenarios
Remote Camera Enclosures: Install the RE2 in a weatherproof cabinet at a remote location with one or two IP cameras, coax-run uplinks to a central office, and battery backup ensuring continued recording if the site loses power. The 500m coax range means you don't need to place a large UPS at the remote site — the battery stays in the central rack and delivers power over coax.
Access Control Redundancy: Mount the RE2 in a central equipment rack alongside your access control system. Use the five PoE ports to power door controllers, readers, and a networked strike-release mechanism. Battery backup ensures doors remain controllable and auditable even if the building's main electrical feed is cut or fails.
Network Edge Consolidation: In a small branch office or warehouse network closet, the RE2 consolidates power for an IP phone, wireless access point, door sensor, and IP camera onto one managed, backed-up PoE switch — eliminating the need for multiple wall supplies and reducing the risk of a single failed outlet disabling critical systems.
For detailed specifications, dimensions, and battery runtime tables, consult the PoE power distribution buying guide or refer to the manufacturer datasheet (PDF link in Quick Specs below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will the battery backup in the RE2 sustain a full 120W load?
A: Battery runtime depends on the capacity of the integrated module and the actual load being drawn. A lighter load (e.g., one or two cameras at 15–20W total) will run significantly longer than the full 120W. Consult the manufacturer datasheet or contact technical support for specific runtime curves at your expected load.
Q: Can the RE2 operate without an external AC supply, running purely on battery?
A: Yes. The RE2 battery module is designed to support continuous operation when AC mains is lost. However, the battery is not infinite — runtime is proportional to the load. The system is intended to sustain critical devices through brief outages or long enough for a UPS or generator to take over.
Q: Does the RE2 require any special configuration or monitoring software?
A: The RE2 operates as a powered Ethernet switch with automatic battery failover. Configuration is typically basic: plug AC power, connect devices to the five PoE ports, and the system manages power distribution and backup. For battery status monitoring or advanced alerts, consult the manufacturer documentation or a system integrator familiar with your VMS and alert infrastructure.
Q: Is the RE2 suitable for outdoor installation?
A: The RE2 is a rack-mount system designed for indoor equipment rooms, network closets, and sheltered enclosures. It is not rated for direct outdoor exposure. For outdoor remote sites, mount the RE2 indoors (e.g., in a weatherproof cabinet or pole-mounted equipment box) and run PoE delivery or Ethernet-over-Coax to outdoor cameras and access control devices.
Q: What is the input voltage range? Will it work with backup generators or solar inverters?
A: The RE2 accepts 230VAC input. Verify the exact voltage tolerance (typically ±10% or ±15%) in the datasheet. Most diesel generators and grid-tie solar inverters output within this range, but confirm before connecting, particularly if your backup power source has unstable or unusual output characteristics.
Q: Can the RE2 be stacked with other units to increase total PoE output?
A: Stacking is not typically recommended unless the system is explicitly designed for it (check the datasheet). Instead, deploy multiple RE2 units in separate racks or cabinets, each serving its own branch of devices, to avoid single-point failure and distribute power load evenly.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix RE2 fills a specific but high-value gap in distributed surveillance and access control: mains-backed PoE delivery to multiple remote endpoints without the cost and footprint of a traditional UPS. The 500-meter Ethernet-over-Coax capability is the real differentiator — it allows you to leverage existing legacy coax runs (far too common in retrofit projects) while delivering modern PoE power and data, avoiding expensive recabling. I've deployed this in warehouse environments where camera and door-strike consolidation at a single rack point dramatically reduced installation labor and simplified troubleshooting.
Technical Highlights:
- 120W PoE across 5 ports: Means you can simultaneously power three mid-draw cameras (30–40W each) plus a wireless AP or access reader without overshooting the budget. Real constraint: if you need more than 120W total, you're looking at a second unit or a higher-capacity Altronix model.
- Ethernet-over-Coax to 500m: Cuts the cost of new cabling in older buildings where RG-6 or RG-59 already runs from the central rack to remote camera locations. Eliminates the false choice between "run new Cat6 or use a series of dumb 12VDC supplies."
- Integrated battery with automatic failover: No external UPS, no relay logic — AC loss triggers the battery to take over seamlessly. Runtime is load-dependent, so spec this conservatively (assume 30–60W average load rather than peak 120W when sizing runtime needs).
Deployment Considerations:
- Battery runtime: The datasheet will specify amp-hour capacity. Do the math early — a 7Ah battery at 24VDC supporting a 50W load gives you roughly 3–4 hours runtime, accounting for efficiency losses. Don't assume it will sustain a full outage overnight unless you overspec the battery or add external cells.
- Coax to Ethernet-over-Coax devices: The RE2 transmits PoE and data over coax, but your endpoint devices (cameras, readers) must support the same Ethernet-over-Coax standard — check compatibility with the specific camera or access control equipment you're deploying. Not all legacy devices support it, even if they sit on a coax run.
- 230VAC input only: North American 120VAC installations will need a step-up transformer, adding cost and another failure point. This is not a show-stopper, but it's worth flagging early in the design phase.
The RE2 is best positioned as a consolidation point for small-to-medium remote sites (2–5 devices per location) or branch offices where you need guaranteed power continuity and want to avoid deploying a full enterprise UPS. If you're integrating legacy coax infrastructure, it's particularly elegant; if you're greenfield with new Cat6a everywhere, a standard PoE switch plus external UPS may be more cost-effective.
