Comelit UT9173 Surface-Mounted Wall Housing for Ultra Series
Overview
The Comelit UT9173 is a surface-mounted wall housing designed to consolidate three Comelit Ultra series intercom units into a single installation footprint. Rather than mounting three separate devices across a wall or entrance, the UT9173 provides a unified mounting frame that reduces visual clutter, simplifies wiring management, and ensures consistent panel alignment. This is a structured accessory solution—not a standalone device—for multi-unit access control, lobby, or entrance installations where a cohesive appearance and simplified maintenance matter.
Key Features
- Three-Unit Capacity: Accommodates three Ultra-series intercom stations in a single mounting assembly. This eliminates the need to mount three separate devices vertically or horizontally across a wall, reducing installation labor and creating a cleaner aesthetic for residential or commercial entry points.
- PoE+ Power Per Unit: Each of the three mounted intercom units operates independently on PoE+ (802.3at), drawing up to 30W per port. This means you can power all three units from a single PoE+ switch without a separate power run—a practical advantage for retrofit installations or spaces where power outlets are distant from the entry point.
- Structured Mounting Frame: The housing holds all three units in precise vertical or horizontal alignment, critical for architectural uniformity in multi-tenant lobbies, office complexes, or residential buildings where visual consistency is part of the spec.
- Network-Based Integration: Because each unit operates on Ethernet, the UT9173 deployment integrates with standard network infrastructure—no analog cabling, no dedicated control wiring. Each intercom can be provisioned independently on your network, making it straightforward to assign different access zones or call routing to each station.
- Independent Unit Operation: Each mounted intercom functions as a standalone device. This means one unit's failure does not cascade to the others, and you can replace, upgrade, or reconfigure individual units without powering down the entire assembly.
- Reduced Installation Complexity: A single mounting template and unified frame structure simplifies on-site layout compared to three separate installation jobs. Alignment, bracket drilling, and wiring consolidation all happen once, not three times.
Integration & Compatibility
The UT9173 is engineered specifically for the Comelit Ultra series intercom line. Verify that the three intercom units you intend to mount are Ultra-series models before ordering; the housing will not accommodate other Comelit product lines. Each mounted unit draws PoE+ power (802.3at, up to 30W), so confirm your network switch has sufficient PoE+ capacity on available ports. For a PoE power budget check: three Ultra units at maximum draw would consume approximately 90W combined, well within most enterprise-grade PoE+ switches but something to verify if your switch is undersized or already near capacity.
Because the intercom units connect via Ethernet, they integrate with any Comelit control software or gateway that supports the Ultra series protocol. Network-based configuration means you can assign each unit a static IP address, create separate access zones for each position, and route calls through your existing VoIP or IP-PBX infrastructure.
When to Choose a Different Solution
If you need to mount fewer than three intercom units, a single Ultra-series unit with a standard wall bracket is more cost-effective. If you require more than three units, consider multiple UT9173 housings stacked vertically or placed side-by-side. If the three units must be spread across different locations (e.g., main entrance, loading dock, upper floor), individual mounting is more practical than a consolidated housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I mount the UT9173 on surfaces other than drywall?
A: The UT9173 is designed as a surface-mounted solution, compatible with standard drywall and solid surfaces (brick, concrete with appropriate anchors). Consult the installation guide included with the unit for specific anchor and fastener recommendations for your substrate.
Q: Do all three intercom units in the UT9173 share a single IP address?
A: No. Each Ultra-series intercom unit mounted in the UT9173 has its own independent IP address and network identity. They are separate devices sharing only the physical mounting frame, which simplifies provisioning and call routing.
Q: What is the power draw for the UT9173 assembly?
A: The housing itself is passive. Power consumption depends on the three Ultra-series intercom units installed—each unit draws PoE+ (up to 30W per unit at maximum load), for a combined potential of 90W across three units.
Q: Is weatherproofing included for outdoor installations?
A: The UT9173 is a surface-mounted housing designed primarily for indoor or semi-protected environments (lobbies, alcoves, covered entries). For fully exposed outdoor installations, confirm that your chosen Ultra-series intercom units have an appropriate IP rating and consider additional weatherproofing measures such as a protective canopy or vestibule.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Comelit UT9173 is a straightforward accessory that solves a specific problem: three intercom units at one location without the visual and mechanical mess of three separate mounts. If your entry spec calls for a main station, visitor station, and service entrance all within view, the UT9173 gives you a clean, aligned installation instead of three loose brackets and dangling cables.
Technical Highlights:
- PoE+ Independent Supply: Each unit draws power separately on PoE+ (802.3at), which means you avoid the common headache of trying to daisy-chain power or run multiple dedicated supplies. Three units at 30W each = 90W total—a realistic draw, not a worst-case. Most enterprise switches handle this without flinching.
- Unified Mounting Geometry: All three units align in the same plane—no wonky angles, no retrofitting one unit higher because your wall bracket is worn. This matters in photo verification, because security teams notice misalignment on access logs.
- Independent IP Addressing: Each intercom is its own network node, so you're not sharing a single IP or broadcasting three audio streams on one connection. Each can route to a different access control zone, key entry point, or call queue without interference.
Deployment Considerations:
- Passive Housing, Active Power Planning: The UT9173 frame itself draws no power—the three mounted units do. Budget your PoE+ switch port allocation accordingly. If you're already running 8–10 cameras on that switch, adding 90W of intercom load may require a second switch or a PoE+ injector, which adds cost and complexity.
- Indoor or Protected Entry Only: This housing is not rated for weather. Rain, salt spray, or full sunlight exposure will degrade the units faster than they should fail. If your entry is exposed, mount the UT9173 in a vestibule or covered alcove, or choose intercom units with higher IP ratings and accept that the housing itself will weather.
Best Fit: Multi-tenant residential buildings, office lobbies, and corporate access points where three call stations must coexist in a tight space and network infrastructure is already in place. Skip this if you're deploying a single intercom or if your three units are spread across different zones—mount them individually and save the cost of the housing.
