Axis T8508 vs Axis 02747-001: Specification Comparison
Both products are 8-port Power over Ethernet managed switches from Axis, designed to power and connect IP cameras and other PoE devices in a surveillance or access-control infrastructure. The T8508 (01191-004) is a compact desktop/rack-mount switch built for indoor IT environments, while the Ex Connection Rail Switch (02747-001) is a certified explosion-proof, IP66-rated unit for hazardous and outdoor industrial locations. A buyer choosing between them is primarily deciding whether their deployment site is a standard indoor space or a classified-hazardous, wet, or extreme-temperature environment.
In This Guide
- How much PoE power does each switch deliver per port and in total?
- What physical environments and installation form factors does each switch support?
- What are the switching performance, uplink options, and management capabilities of each switch?
- Which should you choose: the T8508 or the 02747-001?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How much PoE power does each switch deliver per port and in total?
The T8508 delivers PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, up to 30 W per port) across all 8 RJ45 ports with a total power budget of 130 W. This is sufficient for standard IP cameras, access controllers, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi APs that draw under 30 W each, but the shared 130 W budget means full simultaneous loading is constrained to roughly 16 W average per port under realistic conditions.
The Ex Connection Rail Switch provides PoE++ at up to 60 W per port across all 8 ports, with a total power budget of 480 W. This supports high-draw devices such as PTZ cameras with heaters, multi-radio APs, and industrial sensors that exceed the 30 W PoE+ ceiling. The 60 W-per-port ceiling is the IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 class, nearly double the T8508's per-port maximum, and the 480 W total budget allows all 8 ports to run at full load simultaneously without throttling.
For deployments powering only standard cameras and access readers, the T8508's 130 W budget is adequate. Wherever powered devices exceed 30 W each, or where simultaneous full-load operation is required, the Rail Switch's 480 W budget is the decisive advantage.
What physical environments and installation form factors does each switch support?
The T8508 is rated for indoor use only, operating from 0°C to 50°C, with a metal desktop/1U rack-mount chassis measuring 220 x 242 x 44 mm and weighing 2.1 kg. It carries surge protection rated at 6 kV on all network ports and AC lines, and its approvals include EN 55032/35, FCC Part 15B, VCCI, RCM, and IEC 62368-1. An optional rack-mount kit (AXIS T85 Rack Mount Kit) is available. It is not rated for moisture, dust ingress, or temperature extremes.
The Ex Connection Rail Switch carries an IP66 ingress-protection rating (dust-tight, protected against powerful water jets), operates from -40°C to +50°C, and is certified ATEX II 2 G / IECEx for use in Zone 1 explosive-gas atmospheres and Zone 21 explosive-dust atmospheres. Its aluminum-alloy enclosure with glass window is designed for DIN-rail mounting in industrial cabinets. The unit weighs 31 kg and has a cylindrical form factor (410 mm diameter, 281 mm height), reflecting the heavy flame-path construction required for explosion-proof certification.
The environmental gap between these two switches is fundamental. The T8508 is unsuitable for any outdoor, wet, dusty, or hazardous-classified location. The Rail Switch is engineered specifically for those conditions and carries the third-party ATEX/IECEx certifications that are legally required in many industrial and petrochemical sites.
What are the switching performance, uplink options, and management capabilities of each switch?
The T8508 provides a switching capacity of 20 Gbps with a forwarding rate of 14.9 Mpps, an 8K MAC address table, and jumbo frame support up to 9216 bytes. Uplinks consist of 2x RJ45/SFP combo ports, giving flexibility for fiber or copper backbone connections. The management feature set is comprehensive: DHCP server, VLAN, IEEE 802.1X NAC, ACL, Private VLANs, DHCP Snooping, IP address filtering, HTTPS encryption, SNMP, SSH, and NTP. It integrates with AXIS Device Manager for centralized configuration.
The Ex Connection Rail Switch lists 8x RJ45 PoE++ ports, 2x RJ45 gigabit uplinks, and 4x SFP uplink ports — providing twice the fiber uplink density of the T8508. Detailed switching capacity, forwarding rate, MAC table size, and management protocol specifications are not published in the available spec sheet. VLAN, SNMP, and other management capabilities are not confirmed in the provided data.
The T8508 has fully documented switching performance and a rich, verifiable managed-switch feature set. The Rail Switch's additional SFP ports (4 vs 2) provide greater uplink flexibility, but buyers requiring confirmed VLAN segmentation, 802.1X enforcement, or SNMP monitoring should verify the Rail Switch's management capabilities directly with Axis before specifying it.
Which should you choose: the T8508 or the 02747-001?
Our take: The Ex Connection Rail Switch (02747-001) is the required choice when the installation site is a hazardous-classified, outdoor, or extreme-temperature environment; the T8508 (01191-004) is the correct choice for standard indoor IT closet or rack-room deployments. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: first, per-port PoE power is 60 W vs 30 W and total budget is 480 W vs 130 W, enabling the Rail Switch to power high-draw PTZ cameras with heaters or multi-radio APs that the T8508 cannot sustain; second, the operating temperature range of -40°C to +50°C vs 0°C to +50°C gives the Rail Switch 40 degrees of cold-side headroom for unheated outdoor enclosures; third, the ATEX/IECEx explosion-proof and IP66 certifications on the Rail Switch are non-negotiable legal requirements in petrochemical, wastewater, and mining sites where the T8508 is simply not permitted. Conversely, the T8508's fully documented 20 Gbps switching fabric, 802.1X, ACL, and AXIS Device Manager integration make it the better-understood and easier-to-manage choice for conventional surveillance networks.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Axis T8508 | Axis 02747-001 |
|---|---|---|
| Port Count (PoE) | 8x RJ45 PoE+ | 8x RJ45 PoE++ |
| PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3at (PoE+, 30 W/port) | PoE++ (60 W/port) |
| Total PoE Budget | 130 W | 480 W |
| Uplink Ports | 2x RJ45/SFP combo | 2x RJ45 + 4x SFP |
| Switching Capacity | 20 Gbps | — |
| Forwarding Rate | 14.9 Mpps | — |
| MAC Table | 8K | — |
| Jumbo Frames | 9216 bytes | — |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C | -40°C to 50°C |
| Storage Temperature | -10°C to 70°C | -40°C to 85°C |
| Ingress Protection | Indoor only | IP66 |
| Hazardous Location Rating | None | ATEX II 2G/IECEx, Ex d IIC T5 Gb |
| Enclosure | Metal, Black, 220x242x44 mm | Aluminum alloy, 410 mm dia x 281 mm H |
| Weight | 2.1 kg (4.63 lb) | 31 kg (68 lb) |
| Surge Protection | 6 kV all ports and AC | — |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the T8508 or the 02747-001?
The Ex Connection Rail Switch (02747-001) is the required choice when the installation site is a hazardous-classified, outdoor, or extreme-temperature environment; the T8508 (01191-004) is the correct choice for standard indoor IT closet or rack-room deployments. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: first, per-port PoE power is 60 W vs 30 W and total budget is 480 W vs 130 W, enabling the Rail Switch to power high-draw PTZ cameras with heaters or multi-radio APs that the T8508 cannot sustain; second, the operating temperature range of -40°C to +50°C vs 0°C to +50°C gives the Rail Switch 40 degrees of cold-side headroom for unheated outdoor enclosures; third, the ATEX/IECEx explosion-proof and IP66 certifications on the Rail Switch are non-negotiable legal requirements in petrochemical, wastewater, and mining sites where the T8508 is simply not permitted. Conversely, the T8508's fully documented 20 Gbps switching fabric, 802.1X, ACL, and AXIS Device Manager integration make it the better-understood and easier-to-manage choice for conventional surveillance networks.
Can the T8508 power PTZ cameras with built-in heaters or high-wattage access control panels?
The T8508 delivers up to 30 W per port (PoE+, IEEE 802.3at). Many PTZ cameras with integrated heaters or large-format multi-door access controllers draw between 40 W and 60 W. Those devices exceed the T8508's per-port ceiling and require the Ex Connection Rail Switch, which supports up to 60 W per port under PoE++.
Is the Ex Connection Rail Switch suitable for a standard indoor server room or IT closet?
Technically it can operate indoors, but at 31 kg, 410 mm diameter, and a cylindrical explosion-proof enclosure, it is not designed for rack-room installation. Its ATEX/IECEx certifications and IP66 construction are engineered for hazardous or harsh outdoor locations. For a standard indoor deployment, the T8508 is far more practical and cost-appropriate.
Which switch offers better network management and security features?
Based on published specifications, the T8508 has a fully documented managed-switch feature set: VLAN, IEEE 802.1X NAC, ACL, Private VLANs, DHCP Snooping, SNMP, SSH, HTTPS, and AXIS Device Manager integration. The Ex Connection Rail Switch's management capabilities are not detailed in its available spec sheet. Buyers who require confirmed 802.1X enforcement or VLAN segmentation on the Rail Switch should request the full datasheet from Axis before purchasing.
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