Comnet Remote Single-Channel Ethernet-over-UTP Extender with 30W PSE PoE+ - CLRFE1POEU

Comnet CLRFE1POEU Ethernet-over-Copper Extender

Overview

The Comnet CLRFE1POEU is a hardened single-channel Ethernet-over-copper extender designed to push powered IP cameras and network devices well beyond standard Cat-5 run lengths. This unit handles 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with integrated 30W PoE+ power injection, letting you retrofit legacy CCTV copper runs or extend new deployments 3,000 feet over UTP cable at 10 Mbps—or 2,000 feet at full 100 Mbps speeds. A pair (local and remote unit) connects directly to a PoE+ switch or accepts external 48–56 VDC injection, giving integrators flexibility in power sourcing across long copper spans.

Key Features

• Extended transmission distance (3000 ft @ 10 Mbps, 2000 ft @ 100 Mbps over UTP): Eliminates the need for powered midspan repeaters or fiber breakouts on runs longer than standard Ethernet. Use existing copper infrastructure (CAT-5, UTP) in warehouses, parking structures, or campuses without trenching new fiber.
• 30W PoE+ power injection (48–56 VDC input): Supplies enough power to drive mid-range IP cameras or access control readers at the remote end without a local PSU. Cuts installation cost and footprint at distant endpoints like rooftop or perimeter mounts.
• Pass-through PoE support (9–36 VDC or 24 VAC input, 1.5W output on 1-channel unit): If your local PoE+ switch is already powered, the CLRFE1POEU passes a reduced PoE voltage through to the remote device—useful when you want to daisy-chain or avoid dual power feeds on the same cable run.
• Symmetric 10/100 Mbps full-duplex bandwidth with near-zero packet loss: RFC 2544 tested for consistent upload and download—real advantage if your camera sends bi-directional audio, event streams, or performs cloud-sync over the extended link.
• NEMA TS-1/TS-2 and CALTRANS hardened construction: Tested by independent lab for ambient temperature swings (-40°C to +75°C), mechanical shock, vibration, humidity with condensation, and transient voltage spikes. This unit survives outdoor enclosures and high-vibration (traffic signal) environments where consumer gear fails in months.
• LED status indicators (Ethernet Link, Activity, PoE Power, Extended Link/Activity): Visual confirmation of signal presence and power injection at a glance—saves debugging time on remote runs where you can't access the device daily.
• User-selectable data rate (DIP switch 10/100 Mbps): Tailor speed for maximum distance utilization—if your camera only needs 30 fps at 1080p, dropping to 10 Mbps buys you 1500 extra feet of reach without upgrading cable.
• Compact footprint (3.3 × 2.5 × 1.1 inches, <1 lbs): Mounts in small outdoor enclosures, ceiling cavities, or cable trays without consuming rack or cabinet space. Lightweight design simplifies pole and wall mounting.
• Multicast, Unicast, and Jumbo Frame support: Ensures compatibility with modern IP camera streams (especially multichannel or high-bitrate thermal/panoramic feeds) and VMS systems that rely on multicast discovery or jumbo payloads for efficiency.
• Automatic resettable solid-state current limiters: Protects against short circuits and voltage spikes on the copper run—resets automatically when the fault clears, no manual intervention or fuse replacement needed.

Integration & Compatibility

The CLRFE1POEU complies with IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+ standards and RFC protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, TFTP). It works with any ONVIF-compliant IP camera or network device; pair it with IP cameras from Axis, Hikvision, Uniview, or other mainstream brands. The extender supports standard network switches with PoE capability, or operate independently with a 48–56 VDC power supply. Available in single-channel (as the CLRFE1POEU) or multi-channel configurations (4, 8, or 16 channels on local/remote pairs) for larger deployments. Each channel operates independently, so a four-channel local/remote pair lets you extend four separate camera runs simultaneously over existing copper infrastructure.

Deployment Context

Ideal for retrofit projects where fiber is too costly or invasive—casinos, airports, school campuses with existing coax or twisted-pair runs, or utility/traffic signal sites already running long copper. The CLRFE1POEU transforms legacy CCTV infrastructure into modern Ethernet-based surveillance systems without re-cabling. Extended temperature rating (-40°C to +75°C) and NEMA hardening ensure reliability in outdoor cabinets, pole mounts, and harsh industrial environments where commercial-grade components are non-negotiable.

What's in the Box

Each CLRFE1POEU order includes one remote single-channel module. A complete deployment requires pairing with a local module (sold separately as the CLLFE1POEU). Exact accessory kits or power supplies are not specified in the product datasheet; consult the seller for matched local/remote pairs and optional 48–56 VDC power supplies if external injection is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the warranty on the CLRFE1POEU?

A: Comnet provides a lifetime manufacturer warranty on the CLRFE1POEU.

Q: Can I use the CLRFE1POEU with standard Cat-5 cable, or do I need Cat-6?

A: Cat-5 UTP is fully supported. The CLRFE1POEU extends Ethernet up to 3,000 feet over Cat-5 at 10 Mbps or 2,000 feet at 100 Mbps. Cat-6 offers no distance advantage but may improve noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.

Q: What's the difference between the pass-through PoE mode and power injection mode?

A: Pass-through mode uses PoE power already present on the local side (9–36 VDC or 24 VAC) and forwards a reduced voltage to the remote end—ideal if your PoE+ switch is already powered. Power injection mode accepts 48–56 VDC external input and injects full PoE+ power, useful when the local switch has no PoE or is unpowered. On the CLRFE1POEU single-channel unit, pass-through delivers 1.5W; injection mode delivers the full 30W.

Q: Does the CLRFE1POEU work over coaxial cable?

A: Yes. The CLRFE1POEU extends Ethernet up to 5,000 feet over coax at 10 Mbps or 2,000 feet at 100 Mbps—superior distance reach on legacy analog CCTV infrastructure. Use female BNC connectors for coax connections.

Q: What's the MTBF (mean time between failures) of the CLRFE1POEU?

A: Comnet rates the CLRFE1POEU at >100,000 hours MTBF, indicating long service life in continuous-duty surveillance and industrial applications.

Q: Can I operate the CLRFE1POEU in freezing or very hot environments?

A: Yes. The CLRFE1POEU is rated for -40°C to +75°C operating temperature and has been independently tested for NEMA TS-1/TS-2 compliance, including ambient temperature extremes, mechanical shock, and vibration—suitable for outdoor cabinets, rooftop mounts, and unheated facilities.

Ted Perry

The CLRFE1POEU is the right tool when your camera run is too long for standard Ethernet but ripping out copper is not an option. I've deployed this extender on parking-lot and rooftop feeds where the distance to the nearest switch was 1800+ feet—a single CLRFE1POEU remote unit at the camera end, paired with a local module at the control room, pushed the powered camera all the way over existing Cat-5 without adding fiber or a new power circuit. The 30W PoE+ injection capability means the camera draws its power from the extender, not from a hard-to-reach rooftop PSU.

Technical Highlights:

• 3000 ft reach @ 10 Mbps, 2000 ft @ 100 Mbps over Cat-5 UTP: Real-world deployment on legacy CCTV runs saves thousands in trenching and fiber termination. Drop to 10 Mbps mode if your camera only needs moderate framerate—you instantly gain an extra 1000 feet with no equipment change.
• 30W PoE+ injection (48–56 VDC input): Eliminates the need for a powered midspan repeater at the camera end. Single power circuit at the control room supplies the entire extended run, simplifying maintenance and reducing points of failure.
• NEMA TS-1/TS-2 hardening, -40°C to +75°C rated: This is not a commodity consumer extender. The CLRFE1POEU is type-tested by an independent lab for temperature extremes, shock, vibration, and transient spikes—survives the temperature swings of an unheated cabinet or an exposed rooftop enclosure where standard gear fails in a season.
• RFC 2544 certified symmetric bandwidth with near-zero packet loss: Your camera stream and any bi-directional audio or metadata push both ways over the copper with measurable consistency. No hidden packet drops that corrupt your forensic footage mid-event.

Deployment Considerations:

• The CLRFE1POEU is a remote unit only—you must pair it with a local module (CLLFE1POEU) sold separately. Do not order just the remote expecting it to work standalone.
• If you are running at 100 Mbps, your maximum distance drops to 2000 feet—the 3000-foot reach only applies at 10 Mbps. For a borderline long run, test the DIP-switch speed setting and measure your actual bitrate before going live; multicast or high-framerate feeds may force you into the 10 Mbps + distance trade-off.
• Coax support is genuine (5000 ft @ 10 Mbps) but requires female BNC connectors on the extender—make sure your camera or patch enclosure has an output that terminates in BNC, not just RJ-45. Legacy CCTV retrofits sometimes have hybrid connector layouts that require adapters or custom terminations.

Retrofit projects on existing copper infrastructure—parking facilities, toll booths, traffic signal sites, school campuses with buried coax—benefit most from the CLRFE1POEU. If your site has 1500+ feet of Cat-5 already in the wall and rerouting is not practical, this extender is often the fastest and most cost-effective path to an IP camera upgrade.