Comnet Local Eight-Channel Ethernet-over-UTP Extender With 30W PSE PoE+ - CLLFE8POEU

Comnet CLLFE8POEU Eight-Channel Ethernet-over-Copper Extender

Overview

The Comnet CLLFE8POEU is an eight-channel Ethernet-over-copper extender purpose-built for surveillance and industrial automation deployments where you need to run powered IP devices over long copper runs — either existing twisted-pair cabling or coaxial lines. This is not a network switch; it's a distance multiplier. Running 10/100Mbps Ethernet with integrated PoE+ power injection, the CLLFE8POEU lets you place IP cameras, access readers, or other powered devices 3,000 feet away over standard CAT-5 UTP without dedicated power drops.

The unit ships as a pair (Local and Remote module). The Local module injects power and data simultaneously across the copper plant. The matching Remote unpacks both signals and delivers them to field equipment. Choose this when retrofitting analog CCTV infrastructure to IP or extending cameras beyond switch reach in parking lots, campuses, or industrial yards.

Key Features

• 30W PSE PoE+ Power Injection: Supplies up to 30W per channel on the Local side (total 240W across all eight channels), eliminating the need for separate power supplies at remote endpoints. Devices draw what they need up to the 802.3at limit.
• 3,000-foot UTP range at 10Mbps; 2,000 feet at 100Mbps: Real distance, not marketing fiction. If you run slower (10Mbps), you gain 50% more reach — critical for sites with long cable runs where you can afford reduced speed.
• 5,000-foot coaxial option: Existing analog CCTV plants often run RJ-45-terminated coax. The CLLFE8POEU accepts BNC female connectors on the coax variant, letting you reuse those runs without new cable pulls.
• IEEE 802.3af/at compliance: Meets published PoE standards — your devices won't be over-volted or starved for power. Pass-through voltage is controlled (12–15 VDC on 4-channel, 9–36 VDC or 24 VAC on 1-channel variants).
• NEMA TS-1/TS-2 and CALTRANS certified: Tested for ambient temperature (-40°C to +75°C), mechanical shock, vibration, humidity with condensation, and transient voltage protection. Field-proven for traffic signals and harsh outdoor sensor networks.
• 1RU rack mount form factor (8+ channel models): 6.1 × 19 × 1.75 inches, ships under 5 lbs. Mounts alongside switches and PoE+ supplies in a standard 19-inch rack without taking floor space or requiring special ventilation.
• Full-duplex 10/100Mbps symmetric bandwidth: No packet loss over the total usable distance. RFC 2544 type-tested for TCP/IP compliance.
• User-selectable data rate via DIP switch: Lock the speed at 10Mbps to maximize distance, or run full 100Mbps if your cable run is short. No firmware updates or reboot cycles — flip the switch, move on.
• LED status indicators (Link, Activity, Extended Link/Activity): Troubleshoot failed channels in the field without test equipment. Green light = data flowing.
• Multicast and Jumbo Frame support: Handles modern IP video codecs and network protocols without fragmentation or broadcast storms.
• MTBF >100,000 hours: Designed for continuous duty — fire-and-forget reliability in unmanned remote sites.

Integration & Compatibility

The CLLFE8POEU pairs with any PoE+ switch or standalone PSE injector on the Local (near-infrastructure) end. On the Remote end, deploy any IP camera or powered access device rated for 802.3at power. Works with NVRs and video management systems that accept standard Ethernet input. No special drivers, no proprietary software — it passes Ethernet as-is.

Retrofit applications are the sweet spot: CCTV systems in casinos, airports, and school campuses where new cable is prohibitively expensive. The unit was designed and manufactured in the USA, backed by a lifetime warranty.

What's in the Box

A complete set includes one Local module (8-channel rack-mount version) and one Remote module (8-channel), each with power terminals and RJ-45 Ethernet connectors. Specific mounting brackets and cable assemblies depend on your channel variant — contact pre-sales engineering for exact package contents for your configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the CLLFE8POEU with existing analog CCTV coax runs?

A: Yes. Order the coaxial variant (BNC female connectors) to transmit over existing RJ-45-terminated coax up to 5,000 feet, avoiding costly cable replacement.

Q: What happens if my IP camera draws more than 30W?

A: The CLLFE8POEU supplies up to 30W per channel (802.3at limit). If your camera or device exceeds that, you will need a supplementary power supply at the remote end. Check device power ratings before deployment.

Q: Does the CLLFE8POEU reduce bandwidth on longer runs?

A: Distance and speed are linked. At 3,000 feet over UTP, you get 10Mbps. At 2,000 feet, you can run 100Mbps. Set the DIP switch to match your cable run length.

Q: Is this unit suitable for outdoor mounting?

A: The Local module (8-channel, 1RU rack version) is designed for rack or indoor mounting. For outdoor Remote nodes, use the small 1-channel or 4-channel Remote modules in a weatherproof enclosure rated IP66 or higher.

Q: What temperature range does the CLLFE8POEU support?

A: Operating temperature is -40°C to +75°C (-40°F to +167°F), and the unit is NEMA TS-1/TS-2 certified for condensation, shock, and vibration — standard for outdoor and industrial installations.

Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple CLLFE8POEU units?

A: No. The extender works as a point-to-point Local-to-Remote pair. For multi-hop or mesh topologies, use a managed Ethernet switch at intermediate points.

Marty Allison

I spec the CLLFE8POEU into retrofit projects where cable replacement is off the table. The 3,000-foot UTP reach at 10Mbps is the real win here — most integrators forget that distance and speed trade off, and they get bitten by >2,000 feet expecting 100Mbps. The CLLFE8POEU forces you to think about it upfront via the DIP switch, which actually saves troubleshooting misery later.

Technical Highlights:

• 240W total PoE+ injection (8 channels × 30W per channel): Enough to run eight mid-range IP cameras or access readers simultaneously without supplementary power at the remote end. No separate power supplies to maintain or fail.
• NEMA TS-1/TS-2 and CALTRANS certification: Verified for -40°C to +75°C ambient, condensation, mechanical shock, and transient voltage. Real-world durability, not marketing claim. Critical for outdoor and uncontrolled environments.
• 5,000-foot coaxial option: If you're reusing an existing analog CCTV infrastructure with RJ-45-terminated coax, you avoid a full cable tear-out. That's $5–10k saved on a campus retrofit.
• Symmetric 10/100Mbps full-duplex, RFC 2544 tested: No packet loss over the rated distance. Your VMS will see clean, consistent streams without dropouts that force reboot cycles.

Deployment Considerations:

• Distance-speed tradeoff is not optional: 10Mbps gets 3,000 feet over UTP; 100Mbps only 2,000 feet. If your camera needs >2,000 feet and you want full bandwidth, you need either shorter UTP or coaxial cable variant.
• The Local module is rack-mounted, but the Remote is typically field-mounted in a small plastic box. Account for environmental enclosure (IP66 or higher) if you're deploying in weather. That enclosure is not included.
• Power injection is one-way: Local → Remote. You cannot reverse polarity or run data backward without a second pair of modules. Plan your architecture accordingly.

Deploy the CLLFE8POEU when your constraint is existing copper infrastructure and long distance, not when you need maximum bandwidth. School districts, casino surveillance networks, and parking structure camera runs are the classic fits — projects where pulling new CAT-6 runs is prohibitively disruptive or expensive.