Lifesafety Power BT500-16R Rack Mount PoE Midspan Injector

Overview

The BT500-16R is a 1U rack-mount PoE injector designed to distribute centralized power to networked security cameras and IoT devices across distributed deployments. With 500W total budget split across 8 ports at up to 90W per port, this unit accommodates high-power endpoints—thermal imaging cameras, multi-sensor arrays, or powered pan-tilt-zoom systems—without saturating a network switch uplink. Fire Over Ethernet support makes it suitable for fire alarm integration in mixed security/life-safety environments.

Compatibility

This midspan works with any PoE-enabled IP endpoint (cameras, access points, intercoms) that operates within the 802.3at, 802.3bt, or proprietary power standards. Verify endpoint power draw against the 90W per-port ceiling; devices exceeding that threshold will not receive power. Confirm your network infrastructure supports midspan insertion between switch and camera—some managed environments require explicit VLAN or power-management policies.

Installation Notes

Mounts in standard 19-inch racks (1U vertical footprint). Requires dual AC power inputs (universal AC 110–240V) for redundancy. Plan cabling runs to minimize voltage drop over long camera distances—budget for Cat6A if runs exceed 200 feet with full 90W loads. Ensure rack cooling supports sustained 500W dissipation, particularly in sealed enclosures.

When to Consider Alternatives

If your endpoint budget is significantly lower than 90W per port, a lower-wattage midspan or switch-integrated PoE may reduce cost. If Fire Over Ethernet is not required, standard PoE injectors may offer equivalent functionality at lower price points.