Comnet CLLFE16POEU Sixteen-Channel Ethernet-over-Copper Extender With PoE+
Overview
The Comnet CLLFE16POEU is a hardened, 16-channel Ethernet-over-copper extender designed to transmit 10/100Mbps data and IEEE 802.3at PoE+ power simultaneously over standard UTP or coaxial copper runs—eliminating the need for fiber or new cable infrastructure when retrofitting existing CCTV installations. The unit extends Ethernet up to 3,000 feet over UTP cable at 10 Mbps (or 2,000 feet at 100 Mbps), making it practical for campus-scale deployments, parking lot arrays, and perimeter systems where running new Cat-5e/Cat-6 from a central switch is cost-prohibitive. Available in a 1RU rack form factor, the CLLFE16POEU can inject up to 480W total (30W per channel × 16 channels) of PoE+ power at its local end, or accept power injection from a remote location, providing real flexibility in hybrid powered-device architectures.
Key Features
- 16 Independent Ethernet-over-Copper Channels: Each channel carries full 10/100Mbps Ethernet independently, so you don't degrade throughput as you scale—each IP camera, access point, or sensor gets its own dedicated data path. Multichannel units transmit with symmetric upstream/downstream bandwidth, meaning video uploads and remote access perform consistently across all 16 channels.
- Extended Reach (3,000 ft UTP / 5,000 ft Coax): At 10 Mbps, the unit reaches 3,000 feet (914 m) over standard twisted-pair cable—well beyond the 328-foot Ethernet spec limit. If you're running coaxial runs on poles or through existing conduit, reach extends to 5,000 feet (1,524 m) at 10 Mbps. This eliminates the cost and disruption of trenching new fiber or Cat-6 when deploying cameras on perimeter fencing or across multi-building campuses.
- 30W PoE+ Power Injection Per Channel (480W Total): Injects 48–56 VDC at up to 30W per channel—enough to power high-draw PoE+ cameras (25–30W each) plus downstream lighting controllers or access readers. Total 480W budget across 16 channels means you can run a full powered camera array without a separate PSU at each remote site; power supply is sold separately but centralized at one end.
- Pass-Through PoE+ Capability: If your local switch is already PoE+-enabled, the CLLFE16POEU passes that power through to the remote end—no separate injection PSU required. Alternatively, inject power locally and extend it remotely, or do both simultaneously depending on your topology.
- Extended Operating Temperature (-40°C to +75°C): Rated for outdoor and unheated enclosures without derating; stress-tested for NEMA TS-1 and TS-2 (CALTRANS Traffic Signal Control spec compliance for ambient swings, mechanical shock, vibration, humidity with condensation, and transient voltage protection). Unlike consumer-grade extenders, this unit won't fail mid-winter or mid-summer in a pole-mounted cabinet.
- 1RU Rack-Mount Form Factor: Fits standard 19-inch racks for centralized local module deployment; eliminates tabletop clutter and integrates cleanly into existing switch/UPS infrastructure. Small-package options (1-channel, 4-channel) are also available if you need point deployments rather than centralized architecture.
- MTBF >100,000 Hours: ~11.4 years mean time between failures—backed by USA design and manufacturing, with automatic resettable solid-state current limiters that protect against accidental shorts or line surges. No fuses to replace; the unit recovers automatically when the fault clears.
- Multicast, Unicast, and Jumbo Frame Support: Fully transparent to 10/100 data, meaning video multicast streams (common in surveillance NVRs), TCP/IP unicast traffic, and non-standard frame sizes all pass through without loss. RFC 2544 certified for packet transmission, so you get predictable performance metrics for SLA compliance.
- User-Selectable Data Rate (10 or 100 Mbps): DIP-switch selectable, allowing you to trade distance for throughput. Running 10 Mbps? Reach the full 3,000 feet. Need higher bandwidth for a shorter segment? Switch to 100 Mbps and accept the 2,000-foot limit—no hardware swap required.
Integration & Compatibility
The CLLFE16POEU operates as a transparent bridge—it does not route, filter, or modify packets. Any surveillance NVR, access control system, or network camera that speaks standard 10/100 Ethernet and uses IEEE 802.3af/at PoE power will integrate without configuration. No drivers, no firmware updates needed on the PD (powered device). Simply insert an RJ-45 connector at each end, set DIP switches for your desired data rate and operating mode (power injection vs. pass-through), and the unit extends your network. Remote units are available as modular pieces that pair with this local 16-channel module, so you can daisy-chain or deploy multiple remotes to a single local concentrator.
What's in the Box
The CLLFE16POEU is the local module only. A complete extended-distance deployment requires a matching remote unit (sold separately). Verify your configuration with the supplier before ordering—the local and remote must be paired for your channel count (1, 4, 8, or 16 channels) and your desired power delivery topology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the CLLFE16POEU require a separate power supply?
A: Yes, for power-injection mode. You'll need a 48–56 VDC external PSU (sold separately) to inject PoE+ power at the local end. If your network switch is already PoE+-equipped, you can use pass-through mode and skip the external PSU. For 16 channels at full load (480W), expect a robust industrial PSU; your equipment supplier can recommend sizing.
Q: What's the difference between UTP and coax reach?
A: UTP (Cat-5e or better) reaches 3,000 feet at 10 Mbps; coaxial cable reaches 5,000 feet at the same speed. Coax has lower insertion loss, so if you're already running quad-shield or RG-6 on poles or buried conduit, you gain 2,000 extra feet of reach. At 100 Mbps, both drop to ~2,000 feet due to attenuation limits.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple CLLFE16POEU units?
A: Not directly. This is a local (near-end) module; it pairs with remote modules at the far end. If you need to extend beyond 3,000 feet or add multiple remote sites, you must deploy separate local/remote pairs, each with its own power injection chain. Your vendor can design a topology that avoids cascading extenders (which degrade performance).
Q: What's the warranty on the CLLFE16POEU?
A: Comnet offers a lifetime manufacturer warranty on this unit, reflecting its industrial-grade build and >100,000-hour MTBF rating. Coverage and claim procedures vary; contact Comnet support (1-888-678-9427) for specifics.
Q: Does the CLLFE16POEU pass through PoE++ (802.3bt)?
A: No. The unit is certified for IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE / PoE+, up to 30W per channel). It will not support PoE++ devices. If you need ultra-high-power cameras (60W+), you'll need fiber extenders or native PoE++ infrastructure—this unit is designed for standard PoE+ budgets.
Q: Is the CLLFE16POEU NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: Comnet is a US-based manufacturer, but specific NDAA compliance certification is not stated in publicly available documentation for this model. Contact Comnet directly or your integrator for the current certification status if NDAA Section 889 compliance is a requirement.
The CLLFE16POEU solves a real problem: you've got existing copper runs (twisted-pair or coax) on a multi-building campus or perimeter, and you need to avoid the cost and downtime of trenching new Cat-6 or pulling fiber through 30-year-old conduit. This unit lets you use that existing copper to carry both Ethernet data and up to 30W of PoE+ per channel—meaning a single cable run powers and networks 16 cameras or access readers simultaneously, up to 3,000 feet away. That's a huge cost multiplier in large deployments.
Technical Highlights:
- 480W Total PoE+ Budget (16 × 30W channels): Inject 48–56 VDC at the local end, and every remote channel gets a full 30W PoE+ allocation. That's enough to run high-draw cameras (25–30W) or mixed camera + accessory loads. In a 16-camera retrofit, you eliminate 16 separate power adapters and their cabling mess—centralized power scales dramatically better than point-injection.
- 3,000 ft UTP Reach at 10 Mbps (2,000 ft at 100 Mbps): Transparent to the network—every packet, multicast stream, and unicast flow passes untouched. The DIP-switch data-rate selector lets you choose distance vs. throughput; your video stream is not degraded by the extender itself, only by the cable attenuation you've already paid for with copper run length.
- NEMA TS-1/TS-2 Hardened (-40°C to +75°C Operating Range): Tested for ambient swings, mechanical shock, vibration, humidity with condensation, and transient voltage protection—not just a lab rating. This is pole-mounted or cabinet-mounted gear that'll survive a Wisconsin winter or Arizona summer without derating. Automatic resettable current limiters mean no fuse replacement when someone nicks a cable.
Deployment Considerations:
- You MUST procure a 48–56 VDC PSU separately if you're doing power injection (480W total for 16 channels at full load is significant—don't undersize). If your switch is PoE+-equipped and you're closer than 3,000 feet, pass-through mode skips the external PSU and simplifies the install.
- The CLLFE16POEU is the LOCAL module—you need a matching REMOTE module (sold separately) at the far end. Verify channel count and power topology with your vendor before you order. Cascading multiple extenders (stacking local→remote→local→remote chains) degrades performance and is not recommended.
Deploy this in campus-wide camera retrofits, perimeter fence-line arrays, or multi-building access control systems where new copper is already in the ground. The 16-channel 1RU form factor centralizes local infrastructure, eliminating tabletop clutter and integrating cleanly into existing rack layouts. It's the right tool when fiber overkill or new copper spend is not justified.
