Comnet Remote Four-Channel Ethernet-over-COAX Extender with 30W PSE PoE+ - CLRFE4POEC

Comnet CLRFE4POEC Ethernet-over-Coax Remote Extender with PoE Passthrough

The Comnet CLRFE4POEC is a 4-channel remote Ethernet extender designed to push IP camera and network signals over existing coaxial cable runs — a real advantage in retrofit surveillance installations where running new CAT6 would be expensive or disruptive. The unit supports IEEE 802.3at PoE+ delivery at 30W, enabling you to power industrial-grade IP cameras directly over coax without separate power injectors at the remote end.

Overview

This is a remote unit (paired with a central master) that converts four Ethernet streams into coaxial signals for extended distance transmission. Built for industrial environments, the CLRFE4POEC operates on 10/100Mbps Ethernet and carries a TAA and NDAA Section 889 compliance certification — a hard requirement for federal, state, and many municipal security deployments. The unit is manufactured in the USA, which simplifies compliance audits and supply-chain verification for regulated projects.

The remote extender supports both passthrough mode (power fed from the master unit through the coax) and remote injection mode (local PSU at the remote site). This flexibility means you can scale camera deployments across long cable runs without redesigning your power architecture at every extension point.

Key Features

• 4-Channel Ethernet-over-Coax: Extends four independent 10/100Mbps Ethernet connections over standard coaxial cable — far cheaper than pulling new twisted pair and eliminates the need to abandon working legacy runs in older buildings.
• 30W PoE+ Output (IEEE 802.3at): Supplies power sufficient for most mid-range IP cameras (5MP domes, 2MP bullets, PTZ heads) directly to remote devices. Eliminates the cost and installation complexity of separate remote PoE injectors.
• Passthrough or Remote PSU Injection: Choose whether to power the remote unit from the master (passthrough) or install a local PSU at the remote location. The flexibility supports both small-scale camera extensions and large multi-building campuses.
• Industrial-Grade Robustness: Specified for demanding environments — manufacturing floors, outdoor equipment shelters, transportation terminals. Designed for reliability over years of uninterrupted operation.
• NDAA and TAA Compliant: Meets Section 889 restrictions on components and supply chain. If you're integrating into federal, state, or municipal projects, this certification clears a critical procurement hurdle.
• Made in USA Manufacturing: Produced domestically, simplifying warranty service, compliance documentation, and supply-chain verification for regulated buyers.

Integration & Compatibility

The CLRFE4POEC pairs with a Comnet central master unit to form a complete extender pair. The system works with any standard IP camera or network device that operates on 10/100Mbps Ethernet and accepts PoE power. If you're integrating into an existing surveillance infrastructure, the 10/100Mbps bandwidth per channel is sufficient for single HD (1080p @ 30fps) or dual MP cameras at lower frame rates — plan your camera resolution and frame rate accordingly to avoid bottlenecking on the coax link.

Power sourcing depends on your installation mode: passthrough mode requires the master unit to be powered by a PSU capable of supplying 30W per remote channel plus overhead; remote injection mode requires a compatible PSU at the remote site. Comnet specifies the PS-DRA120-48A as the minimum required PSU, with the PS-A48170 recommended for typical deployments and the PS-A48280 / PS-A48500 as alternatives for higher-capacity builds. Verify PSU compatibility against your channel count and camera wattage draw before purchase.

Coaxial cable distance and quality matter: solid RG-6 or better cable, properly terminated with weatherproof connectors, supports extended runs (consult Comnet application notes for exact distance ratings based on cable type and impedance). On older installations with poor-quality or damaged coax, expect signal degradation or intermittent connectivity — budget for cable inspection before deployment.

What's in the Box

Documentation and compatibility resources are available from Comnet's support portal, including application notes, installation guides, and PSU cross-reference tables. Verify PSU part numbers (PS-DRA120-48A, PS-A48170, PS-A48280, PS-A48500) against your specific channel configuration before ordering, as power requirements scale with the number of remote units and camera loads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Comnet CLRFE4POEC NDAA Section 889 compliant?

A: Yes. The CLRFE4POEC is marked as TAA and NDAA compliant and is manufactured in the USA. This meets federal procurement requirements for restricted components and supply-chain origin.

Q: What's the warranty on the CLRFE4POEC?

A: Comnet provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty on the CLRFE4POEC. Contact Comnet directly for specific terms and coverage scope.

Q: Can I use the CLRFE4POEC in passthrough mode to power multiple remote cameras?

A: Yes, in passthrough mode the master unit delivers power through the coax to the remote CLRFE4POEC. You must ensure your master PSU has sufficient capacity: 30W per remote unit plus overhead. Comnet recommends the PS-A48170 for typical deployments — verify against your specific camera wattage and channel count.

Q: What bandwidth does each channel provide, and how many cameras can I connect?

A: Each of the four channels supports 10/100Mbps Ethernet. This is sufficient for one 1080p camera at 30fps or two lower-resolution streams. Plan your camera resolution and frame rate to stay within the per-channel bandwidth; oversizing frame rate or resolution will cause network congestion and dropped frames.

Q: What coaxial cable type should I use with the CLRFE4POEC?

A: Use RG-6 or better quality coax with proper impedance matching. Older or damaged coax may introduce signal loss or intermittent connectivity. Consult Comnet's application notes for specific cable type recommendations and maximum distance ratings based on your cable quality.

Q: Do I need a separate power supply at the remote location, or can the master unit supply all power?

A: You can choose either mode. In passthrough mode, the master PSU powers the remote unit through the coax. In remote injection mode, you install a local PSU at the remote site. Comnet specifies the PS-DRA120-48A as the minimum required PSU; the PS-A48170 is recommended for standard deployments.

Karl Wilson

The CLRFE4POEC solves a genuine pain point in retrofit surveillance: extending IP cameras over existing coaxial cable runs without replacing infrastructure. The 30W PoE+ capacity is meaningful — it powers mid-range industrial cameras directly without daisy-chaining injectors. The fact that this unit supports both passthrough and remote injection modes gives you real flexibility when scaling across warehouse floors or multi-building campuses where power distribution varies.

Technical Highlights:

• 30W IEEE 802.3at PoE+: Sufficient for 5MP domes, 2MP bullets, and most PTZ heads. You eliminate the cost and complexity of separate remote PoE injectors at each camera location.
• 4-Channel 10/100Mbps per channel: Supports one 1080p@30fps stream per channel, or two lower-resolution cameras per channel if frame rate is negotiable. Plan your camera bitrate — oversizing resolution or frame rate will saturate the coax link.
• Passthrough or Remote PSU injection: In passthrough mode, the master unit supplies power through coax. In remote injection mode, a local PSU at the remote site handles power. This flexibility matters when the master location doesn't have adequate power capacity or when remote sites need autonomy.
• NDAA Section 889 compliance: Made in USA, no Huawei, no restricted components — clears federal, state, and municipal procurement requirements without exceptions.

Deployment Considerations:

• Coax cable quality and age matter. Older installations with degraded or poor-quality RG-59 may not support full distance/bandwidth — budget for cable inspection and testing before committing to passthrough deployment.
• Power sourcing scales with channel count. If you're deploying multiple remote CLRFE4POEC units in passthrough mode, your master PSU must supply 30W per remote unit plus switch overhead — the PS-A48170 is recommended, but verify against your full system load before ordering.

This extender is built for industrial surveillance retrofit projects where running new CAT6 is prohibitive — manufacturing floors upgrading legacy analog systems, warehouse automation networks extending over existing infrastructure, or transportation facilities where cable replacement would disrupt operations. If your coax is in good condition and your power budget allows, the CLRFE4POEC eliminates the need to abandon functional cable runs and simplifies the transition from analog to IP.