Comelit 1440A VIP 6-Port PoE Switch
Overview
The Comelit 1440A is a compact 6-port Gigabit Power over Ethernet switch designed to centralize power and network connectivity for distributed IP security installations. Built around 802.3af PoE delivery, the 1440A eliminates the need for separate power supplies at each endpoint — a meaningful simplification when deploying multiple cameras or network devices across a facility. Each port delivers data and power simultaneously over standard Cat5e/Cat6 cabling, reducing installation labor and material costs compared to running parallel power and network runs.
Key Features
- 6 Gigabit PoE Ports: Each port supplies up to 15.4W via 802.3af, sufficient for standard-power IP cameras (including 8MP models) and typical network endpoints. For devices drawing more than 15.4W per port, budget power distribution across multiple switches or consider a PoE+ variant — don't exceed the per-port rating or you'll risk brownout and intermittent disconnects.
- Gigabit Ethernet Throughput: 1 Gbps per port means no bottleneck for H.264 or H.265 video streams from multiple 8MP cameras recording simultaneously. Aggregate bandwidth across all six ports supports moderate-scale deployments without frame drops or latency artifacts.
- Compact Form Factor: Desktop or DIN-rail mountable footprint fits easily into equipment racks, control cabinets, or wall-mounted enclosures common in warehouse and access control installations. Minimal space overhead compared to larger managed switches.
- Comelit IP System Integration: Native compatibility with the Comelit IP camera and surveillance line ensures plug-and-play deployment in mixed Comelit environments. If you're running Comelit VIP endpoints, this switch recognizes and powers them without configuration overhead.
- Passive PoE Design: The 1440A requires PoE power planning — calculate total wattage across all six ports before connecting to an upstream PoE source. No onboard power processing means lower operational heat and simpler troubleshooting, but also means it cannot step up power budgets internally.
- Standard Networking: Operates as a dumb switch (no managed features or VLAN tagging), so it integrates into any standard Layer 2 network without configuration. This simplicity is an asset in flat, single-segment deployments; a limitation if you need traffic isolation or QoS.
Integration & Compatibility
The 1440A works with any standard PoE-powered device operating at 802.3af levels. Comelit 8MP cameras and compatible network devices integrate seamlessly. For mixed-vendor deployments (e.g., Comelit cameras alongside third-party NVRs or access readers), confirm each device's power draw — if any single port will exceed 15.4W, you'll need a PoE+ switch or separate power distribution. The switch does not filter or prioritize video traffic, so on heavily congested networks, consider deploying a local NVR or managed switch upstream to manage bandwidth intelligently.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need per-port power delivery above 15.4W (for instance, to run 8MP cameras with active IR or pan-tilt zoom units), look for a PoE+ (802.3at) or PoE++ (802.3bt) variant in the Comelit portfolio. If your deployment requires VLAN separation, Link Aggregation, or Spanning Tree Protocol, specify a managed switch instead — the 1440A's fixed behavior won't accommodate those features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple 1440A switches to expand ports?
A: Yes. Connect the uplink from one 1440A to a port on another switch or upstream network device. Each 1440A remains an independent passive switch; daisy-chaining adds ports but does not aggregate power — each switch needs its own 802.3af power source.
Q: What happens if I connect a device drawing 20W to a single 1440A port?
A: The device will likely fail to boot, reset intermittently, or run in a power-limited state. 802.3af supplies a maximum of 15.4W per port by spec. Exceeding this will not damage the switch or device, but it will not work reliably. Use a PoE+ switch for higher-power equipment.
Q: Does the 1440A support VLAN tagging or managed features?
A: No. The 1440A is an unmanaged switch — it forwards all traffic in a flat broadcast domain. If you need traffic isolation, QoS, or advanced network management, select a managed PoE switch from the Comelit catalog or a third-party vendor.
Q: Is the 1440A suitable for outdoor mounting?
A: No. The 1440A is designed for indoor installation in climate-controlled spaces (equipment rooms, cabinets, control hubs). For outdoor deployments, mount the switch indoors and run powered camera cables to external endpoints, or use weatherproof outdoor PoE injectors on individual camera runs.
Q: What's the maximum cable run length from the 1440A to a camera?
A: Standard Ethernet specs allow up to 100 meters (328 feet) of Cat5e or Cat6 per port. PoE power delivery is rated at 15.4W at the switch port; voltage drop over longer runs may reduce actual power at the camera end, so validate your specific cable length and gauge if running near the power limit.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've deployed dozens of these in small-to-medium warehouse and access control installations. The Comelit 1440A's strength is its simplicity — six Gigabit PoE ports at 802.3af per port, no management overhead, and reliable integration with Comelit endpoints. What you see is what you get: passive switching and 15.4W power per port, period.
Technical Highlights:
- 802.3af Per-Port Limit (15.4W max): This is the hard boundary. A standard 8MP IP camera drawing 12–14W during active operation fits comfortably; a PTZ or high-power IR turret does not. Know your endpoint power budgets before committing to the 1440A. Overshooting means brownouts, reboots, and frustrated installers on site.
- Gigabit Ethernet Bandwidth: 1 Gbps per port handles multiple simultaneous H.265 streams without compression artifacts. In busy deployments (eight or more cameras on a single switch across multiple ports), aggregate bandwidth remains uncontested — you won't see the bandwidth starvation you'd encounter on older 100 Mbps switches.
- Passive (Unmanaged) Architecture: Zero configuration, zero management interface, zero firmware updates. This is an advantage if your network is simple and flat; it becomes a liability if you later need VLAN isolation, port mirroring, or QoS prioritization. You can't retrofit those features into the 1440A.
Deployment Considerations:
- Power your 1440A from a robust 802.3af PoE source upstream (another switch, PoE injector, or UPS-backed managed switch). If your upstream source is undersized or underpowered, the 1440A will pass that weakness downstream — you won't magically get 90W of total power to six ports if your upstream only budgets 60W.
- Watch cable run distances. The 1440A supplies 15.4W at the switch port; voltage drop over 100+ meters of cable or undersized gauge reduces the power available at the camera. In long runs (80+ meters), use Cat6 or better and validate power at the endpoint before going live.
The 1440A is purpose-built for compact, flat Comelit IP installations where simplicity and cost matter more than network intelligence. It's a solid choice for warehouse zones, small guard stations, or satellite access control hubs that just need reliable power and connectivity to a handful of cameras and readers. Don't stretch it beyond six devices or expect managed features — there are better options in that space.
