Comnet CopperLine Surge Protector - CLESP

Comnet CLESP Single-Port Ethernet Surge Protector

Overview

The Comnet CLESP is a passive, in-line Ethernet surge protector designed to shield individual network ports from voltage transients and electrostatic discharge. It plugs directly into any 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet port—no external power required—making it the simplest way to add surge protection where lightning, electrical noise, or long cable runs create risk. The CLESP is compact enough to mount in tight panel spaces and works with PoE-powered gear like IP cameras, switches, and media converters without signal degradation.

Key Features

• Direct In-Line RJ-45 Design: Male and female RJ-45 connectors allow the CLESP to sit between your network cable and any Ethernet port. No bulky external box; the 0.55 × 0.63 × 1.1 inch form factor fits into crowded equipment racks and outdoor junction boxes.
• 5kV/8kV Surge Clamping: Handles 5kV surge protection in air gap and 8kV on direct contact. For perimeter surveillance, parking lot networks, and warehouse installations where lightning or induced transients commonly occur, this threshold stops the surge before it reaches your camera, DVR, or switch.
• PoE Transparent: IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at compliant—power delivery to your PoE camera or injector passes through the CLESP unchanged. Common misconception: surge protectors can block PoE. This one doesn't; you get full power bandwidth without a separate PoE splitter.
• Integrated Ground Tab: Metal ground tab connects directly to your installation's frame or equipment chassis ground. No separate grounding cable required. For maximum effectiveness on the CLESP, this connection must be made securely—loose or missing grounds reduce protection significantly.
• No Power Required: Entirely passive protection. The CLESP draws zero operating current, so it adds no load to your PoE budget and works on failed or unpowered network segments without dropping protection.
• Extended Ethernet Support: Works with standard 10/100/1000BaseT and CopperLine extended 10/100 Ethernet (Cat 5 or higher). Tested to EN61000-4-5 and EN55024 surge standards, confirming protection under both conducted and radiated disturbances.
• Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty: Backed by Comnet's lifetime coverage, reflecting confidence in surge protection durability across industrial temperature ranges (-40°C to +75°C operating, -40°C to +85°C storage).
• Dual Status LEDs: Ethernet traffic and extended Ethernet traffic indicators let you confirm link status and detect silent surges that may have clamped voltage without dropping the connection.

Integration & Compatibility

The CLESP integrates into any network topology where individual ports need protection. Common deployments include IP camera feeds running long distances over UTP cable (where induced lightning risk is highest), Ethernet runs in electrically noisy environments (industrial plants, RF transmitter facilities), and perimeter surveillance networks exposed to weather and transient voltage spikes. Install one CLESP at each end of a long run or at the camera port if lightning strike risk is localized. Because it is transparent to PoE, you can protect both the camera port on your switch and the upstream NVR or Milestone XProtect connection—no compatibility surprises.

The CLESP is also compatible with Comnet's CopperLine extended Ethernet system, allowing you to maintain surge protection even on long-distance coax or UTP transmission extenders. For maximum effectiveness in high-noise environments, pair the CLESP with proper chassis grounding; floating or poorly grounded frames reduce the protector's clamping effectiveness.

What's in the Box

Each CLESP unit includes the surge protector module itself with integral metal ground tab. No cables, adapters, or mounting hardware are included; the device is designed to plug directly into a live RJ-45 port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the CLESP block or degrade PoE power delivery?

A: No. The CLESP is fully compliant with IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at PoE standards and is transparent to power delivery. PoE current and voltage pass through unchanged.

Q: How does the ground tab need to be connected?

A: The metal ground tab must be securely connected to your installation's frame ground, chassis, or equipment ground rail. For maximum protection effectiveness, this connection should be direct and low-resistance. Loose or missing ground connections significantly reduce surge clamping performance.

Q: Can I use the CLESP on both ends of a long cable run?

A: Yes. For long UTP runs where lightning or transient risk is distributed, a CLESP at each end (camera side and switch side) provides layered protection. This is common practice in parking lot and perimeter surveillance networks.

Q: What temperature range does the CLESP support?

A: Operating range is -40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F), and storage range is -40°C to +85°C. This covers most outdoor surveillance installations, though in extreme Arctic or equatorial climates, confirm with Comnet support.

Q: Is the CLESP rated for PoE++?

A: The CLESP is certified for IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at PoE. PoE++ (802.3bt) support is not documented in the specifications. For PoE++ deployments, confirm with Comnet.

Q: What is the warranty on the CLESP?

A: The CLESP is covered by a lifetime manufacturer warranty from Comnet.

Marty Allison

I've installed dozens of Ethernet surge protectors on outdoor camera networks, and the Comnet CLESP remains one of the simplest and most reliable choices for single-port protection. The 5kV/8kV surge clamping on the CLESP is solid for parking lot and perimeter feeds where lightning-induced transients are the real threat. What distinguishes it in the field is the PoE transparency—too many installers skip surge protection because they assume it will interfere with PoE, but the CLESP delivers full 802.3af and 802.3at power without dropout.

Technical Highlights:

• 5kV/8kV Surge Let-Through: Handles direct and radiated transients common in industrial and outdoor perimeter environments. For comparison, unprotected ports routinely fail on first lightning strike; the CLESP absorbs the energy and clamps the voltage to safe levels, keeping your camera and switch port alive.
• Zero Operating Current: The CLESP is entirely passive—no external power supply, no strain on your PoE budget. This matters on long runs where every milliwatt counts; a 12.95W camera on 802.3af PoE still has margin even with the CLESP in line.
• Integrated Ground Tab: The metal ground connection must be secured to your chassis or frame ground. This is non-negotiable. I've seen installations where the ground tab was left floating, and surge protection effectiveness dropped by 50% or more. Make the connection; don't skip it.

Deployment Considerations:

• The CLESP is a point-protection device—one unit per port. In large multi-camera parking lot networks, budget for one CLESP per camera feed and one per switch uplink port. This layered approach catches surges at both ends of the transmission path.
• Grounding is critical. The CLESP will not perform at its rated 5kV/8kV clamping if the ground tab is not properly connected. In wet or corrosive environments, use stainless hardware and check ground continuity periodically.

For long-distance UTP runs in electrically noisy environments (RF transmission sites, industrial plants, utility substations), the CLESP pairs well with Comnet's CopperLine extended Ethernet extenders. Install a CLESP on the extended Ethernet port and another at the camera, and you've got redundant transient protection across the entire span. This is the configuration I reach for when lightning risk is genuinely high.