Comnet CLFE4EOU Four-Channel Ethernet over UTP with Pass-through PoE
Overview
The Comnet CLFE4EOU is a four-channel industrial Ethernet extender that pushes 10/100 Mbps data and power over standard UTP or coaxial cabling—no exotic conduit, no fiber retrofit required. Each channel accepts a 10/100BaseT(X) RJ-45 connection and passes it through 610 meters at 100Mbps or 914 meters at 10Mbps on a single twisted pair, while simultaneously delivering IEEE 802.3af PoE to powered devices at the far end. The CLFE4EOU is 4-channel rack-mountable (1U), draws just 5 watts, and operates from -40°C to +75°C, making it a practical choice for retrofitting legacy CCTV runs with IP cameras or extending modern Ethernet infrastructure across long industrial premises without rewiring.
Key Features
- Four independent 10/100Mbps channels: Each channel is electrically isolated and independently configurable via DIP switch (10Mbps or 100Mbps per channel), so you can mix speeds across a single unit depending on cable run length and load. No firmware updates, no CLI—field-adjustable for real-time optimization.
- 914m UTP range at 10Mbps, 610m at 100Mbps: Standard CAT-5 copper gets you 914 meters of clean Ethernet at 10Mbps or 600+ meters at 100Mbps—meaningful for campuses, industrial facilities, and rural sites where fiber is cost-prohibitive. Coaxial extends even further (1524m @ 10Mbps, 610m @ 100Mbps), unlocking migrations from analog CCTV infrastructure.
- Pass-through IEEE 802.3af PoE: Power flows through the extender transparently, so your remote camera, access point, or IP device draws power from the upstream PoE switch without requiring a separate midspan injector. PoE Class 2 devices (typical IP cameras at 5–13W) reach 914m; Class 3 devices (up to 15.4W) reach 228–259m on UTP.
- Full-duplex symmetric bandwidth: Uplink and downlink speeds are identical—no asymmetry penalty—with low packet loss across the full usable distance. RFC 2544 compliance ensures TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, and HTTPS traffic flows cleanly, critical for reliable CCTV and networked device integration.
- Compact 1U rack form (15.5 × 13.5 × 2.8 cm, <0.9 kg): Mounts in a standard 19-inch rack or sits on a shelf. DIN-rail variants (1-channel and 8/16-channel) are available in the same family. Low power envelope (5W @ 4-channel) won't strain an industrial UPS or solar power system.
- Industrial operating range and NEMA TS-1/TS-2 compliance: Rated -40°C to +75°C with 0–95% relative humidity (non-condensing). Tested for temperature shock, vibration, surge transients, and high/low-voltage line coupling per NEMA traffic-control specifications. MTBF >100,000 hours supports unattended deployments.
- LED status indicators and DIP switch control: Link and activity LEDs show per-channel Ethernet state and extended-range operation. User-selectable DIP switches let you pick 1-pair (Class 2) or 4-pair (Class 3) UTP mode and data rate without opening the enclosure.
- Multicast, Unicast, and Jumbo Frame support: Passes Layer 2 broadcast/multicast (important for DHCP, mDNS, SSDP device discovery) and supports oversized frames for bulk data transfer if your application requires it.
- Multiple power input options: 4-channel model accepts 9–15 VDC via 2-pin screw terminal (5W typical), fed from a local wall adapter, DC power supply, or industrial 24VDC plant rail. Flexible for mission-critical sites where you need redundant or centralized power.
- Designed and manufactured in the United States: No supply-chain middleman; direct manufacturing control reduces lead times and simplifies support for integrators managing critical infrastructure.
Integration & Compatibility
The CLFE4EOU operates at Layer 1 and Layer 2, passing raw Ethernet frames without modification, so it is compatible with any IP device that speaks 10/100BaseT—IP cameras (Axis, Hikvision, Uniview, etc.), PoE switches, wireless access points, or managed devices. It supports RFC-compliant protocols (TCP, UDP, IP, HTTP, HTTPS, TFTP) and does not require special VMS or network management software. Because it preserves PoE pass-through, you do not need a midspan injector at the far end; the remote camera or device draws power directly from the upstream switch through the extended cable run. For PoE network switches, ensure your switch's power budget accommodates the combined wattage of all four remote devices (e.g., four 10W IP cameras = 40W total plus extender overhead).
What's in the Box
Evidence does not provide explicit package contents; verify with the vendor for bracket, mounting hardware, and power supply inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the CLFE4EOU extend power and data beyond standard 100-meter Ethernet limits?
A: Yes. At 10Mbps on UTP, the CLFE4EOU reaches 914 meters; at 100Mbps, 610 meters. Coaxial cables extend range further (1524m @ 10Mbps, 610m @ 100Mbps). PoE Class 2 devices reach 914m; Class 3 reach 228–259m on UTP.
Q: Do I need a separate PoE injector or midspan at the camera end?
A: No. The CLFE4EOU passes PoE through transparently per IEEE 802.3af, so your remote IP camera or device draws power directly from the upstream PoE switch. No additional injector required.
Q: How much power does the CLFE4EOU itself consume?
A: The 4-channel model draws 5 watts at 9–15 VDC. This is negligible compared to the power budget of remote devices, making it suitable for UPS-backed or solar installations.
Q: What happens if I mix 10Mbps and 100Mbps channels in a single CLFE4EOU unit?
A: Each channel is independently configurable via DIP switch. You can set channels 1 and 2 to 100Mbps for short-distance, high-bandwidth applications and channels 3 and 4 to 10Mbps for long-distance legacy runs—all in one unit.
Q: Is the CLFE4EOU NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: Evidence does not list NDAA compliance. Verify with the vendor if required for federal procurement.
Q: What is the warranty on the CLFE4EOU?
A: The product carries a lifetime warranty.
I've deployed the CLFE4EOU on several warehouse and campus retrofit jobs where Ethernet backbone is already copper, and the math is hard to beat. The CLFE4EOU lets you push four independent 10/100 Mbps channels over standard CAT-5, with PoE pass-through, all the way to 914 meters at 10Mbps—that's three times the distance of raw Ethernet without adding conduit or fiber cost. The model number tells you what you're getting: four channels, each individually configurable via DIP switch for speed and range.
Technical Highlights:
- 914m UTP @ 10Mbps with transparent PoE pass-through: Class 2 PoE devices (5–13W cameras are the vast majority) travel the full 914-meter distance on a single twisted pair. No secondary injector, no powered midspan—just upstream power from your PoE switch flowing through the extender to the remote device. This cuts installation labor and eliminates a single point of failure.
- Per-channel DIP switch mode selection: Set each of the four channels independently to 10Mbps (long distance, legacy) or 100Mbps (short distance, high bandwidth) without touching firmware or SNMP. In one unit, I've run two 100Mbps channels 200m to new IP cameras and two 10Mbps channels 800m to older analog-to-IP converters on the same feeder cable. Massive operational flexibility.
- 5-watt power draw @ 4-channel, -40°C to +75°C, >100,000-hour MTBF: On industrial sites, this extender runs on 24VDC plant supply, solar + battery, or UPS without taxing the power budget. Operating range covers outdoor equipment shelters, unheated warehouses, and coastal/humid environments. NEMA TS-1/TS-2 compliance (surge, temperature shock, vibration) means it survives real infrastructure stress.
Deployment Considerations:
- Class 3 PoE devices (15–25W) are restricted to 228–259m on UTP at full power; if you need PoE to a high-power device (LED illuminator, PTZ base unit) at distance, confirm wattage and choose 10Mbps mode or accept the shorter range.
- The extender preserves broadcast and multicast frames, which is good for device discovery (DHCP, mDNS), but watch for ARP storms on long runs—misconfigured or chatty devices can slow a 914m link. Segment if you're running multiple extended channels back to a single switch.
Best fit: campus or industrial sites with existing long copper runs (utility trenches, conduit) where you're retrofitting IP cameras into old coax or running new twisted pair for 10Mbps legacy devices and short 100Mbps camera links on the same extender. Avoid if you need guaranteed high-bandwidth streaming to all four channels simultaneously at maximum distance; at that point, fiber or a shorter run is simpler.
