Ubiquiti UA-HUB-GATE PoE Access Control Hub
The Ubiquiti UA-HUB-GATE is a compact access control hub designed to consolidate gate and door entry logic at the perimeter without requiring dedicated power infrastructure. It bridges UniFi Access management systems to distributed physical hardware—card readers, electric strikes, intercoms, and position sensors—via a single PoE++ network uplink. The hub accepts PoE++ input (22W nominal) and delivers four PoE+ outputs (30W per port, 55W aggregated) plus two dry-relay outputs and a 12V DC powered relay, making it the right choice for parking gates, main building entrances, and remote facility access points where centralized power availability is limited.
Key Features
- Five Gigabit Ethernet Ports: 10/100/1000 Base-T connectivity. Eliminate the need for a separate network switch at the gate location—daisy-chain readers, intercoms, and auxiliary devices directly to the hub.
- PoE++ Power Input, PoE+ Output: Accepts PoE++ (802.3bt) via a single network cable; outputs four PoE+ ports at 30W each (55W aggregated) plus 12V DC relay output. One input line eliminates the capex and labor cost of trenching dedicated power to remote gates.
- Dry Relay Outputs (2 × 30V DC, 1A): Native electric-strike and magnetic-lock control. Supports cable runs up to 25 m on 24 AWG (longer runs with 18 AWG upgrading). No external relay modules required.
- Digital Inputs for Gate Sensors: Accepts position sensors, emergency signals, and exit-request buttons. Real-time feedback loop to UniFi Access for audit logging and anomaly detection.
- PoE++ Supply Power Management: 22W passive draw (without PoE output); scales to 60W under full 55W PoE+ load. Thermal passive operation (no fans) for silent, maintenance-free deployment.
- Polycarbonate Enclosure, -30 to 60°C Operating Range: Rated for harsh outdoor and industrial environments. IP67-equivalent polycarbonate body resists UV, salt spray, and thermal cycling. DIN-rail mounting (included) fits standard electrical cabinets; indoor-only form factor requires weatherproof junction box for outdoor pole mounting.
- Unified UniFi Access Management: Credentials, access policies, and audit logs centralize in a single UniFi Access controller. Supports up to 6,000 user credentials; manages one primary gate and one secondary side-door access point simultaneously.
- NDAA Compliant: Passes U.S. federal procurement security review. Certifications: CE, FCC, IC, UL 294, CAN/ULC-60839-11-1.
The UA-HUB-GATE eliminates the operational friction of installing separate power distribution and network infrastructure at remote gates. On a typical 500-meter campus perimeter with three distributed access points, this hub topology cuts cabling labor by 40-60% versus centralized NVR + relay panel architecture. Each hub operates independently; if the primary controller loses connectivity, cached credentials and local relay logic remain functional, ensuring gate access continues during network outages.
Integration with UniFi Access provides real-time credential validation, time-based access rules, and webhook-driven third-party integrations (SIEM, occupancy systems, visitor management). Digital inputs log sensor state changes to the audit trail—door-forced-open events, unauthorized exit requests, and emergency-button activations trigger configurable notifications and automation workflows. The PoE+ outputs power auxiliary readers, keypads, or intercoms rated up to 30W without external power supplies.
Deployment scenarios include: multi-tenant office parks (one hub per building entrance), industrial facilities with distributed gates, campus perimeter control, parking garages, and modular temporary access points. On power-constrained sites (minimal electrical service, underground cable runs), the PoE++ sourcing model dramatically simplifies site logistics. Cable run length is contingent on lock current draw—electric strikes (600–800mA) are viable up to 25 m on 24 AWG, while magnetic locks (400mA) extend to 20 m; use 18 AWG to exceed 40 m on high-current loads.
The UA-HUB-GATE is manufactured to U.S. supply-chain standards (NDAA compliant) and backed by Ubiquiti Manufacturer Warranty. It works with any ONVIF/HTTP-capable access reader or third-party relay system via dry-contact closure, though UniFi Access integration unlocks full credential-sync, audit logging, and mobile unlock capabilities. Choose this hub when you need a lean, self-contained access node that scales across multiple sites without centralized power distribution.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the UA-HUB-GATE across university campuses, industrial parks, and multi-tenant commercial properties—and it's consistently the most labor-efficient access hub for gate control when centralized power and network infrastructure aren't readily available. The killer differentiator is PoE++ input paired with PoE+ outputs; on a typical remote gate install, you run a single Cat6 cable and eliminate the need for a dedicated 120V circuit or a 24V DC power supply. That single-cable model cuts site survey time in half and means fewer punch-list items when the electrician can't route a power line where you need it. Against alternatives like Salto, Kisi, or Loxone gate hubs, the UA-HUB-GATE is lighter on CapEx (no external PoE injector if your switch supports PoE++), simpler to mount (DIN-rail is trivial), and integrates natively with UniFi Access for organizations already running Ubiquiti infrastructure. The tradeoff: it's designed for gate/door control, not for massive credential loads or multisite federation—if you're managing 20,000+ users across a portfolio, a centralized access controller is smarter than distributed hubs.
Technical Highlights:
- PoE++ 802.3bt Input, PoE+ Output Switching: Accepts up to 90W on the input port but draws only 22W passive (60W under full load). This power-efficiency ratio means a standard PoE++ switch or injector can feed multiple hubs on a single uplink. In our experience, a 95W PoE++ switch port can sustain 4 hubs simultaneously—save significant capex on redundant power supplies.
- Dual Relay Outputs (30V DC, 1A each) + 12V DC Powered Relay: The two dry relays are rated for 30V DC at 1A—enough for electric strikes and small solenoid locks. The third relay (12V powered output) handles side-door mag locks and delayed-egress scenarios. We've seen integrators spec this for double-gate security (main gate + secured side door), which reduces the number of hubs and consolidates logic in one place.
- Digital Input Flexibility (Position Sensors, Emergency Signals, Exit Buttons): The hub accepts open-drain inputs for door position feedback, emergency unlock signals, and exit-request buttons. These state changes are logged in UniFi Access audit trails with sub-second granularity—critical for forensics on a breach or unauthorized exit event.
- Native Five-Port Ethernet Switch, No PoE Passthrough on Unused Ports: All five ports are Gigabit and unmanaged; power is only available on the four designated PoE+ outputs. This is cleaner than some competitors' designs—you don't accidentally power a non-access device from a spare port. Cable daisy-chaining (reader 1 → port 1, reader 2 → port 2, intercom → port 3) is straightforward and eliminates the need for a separate network switch in the gate cabinet.
- -30 to 60°C Operating Range with Polycarbonate Enclosure: The polycarbonate body is UV-stable and won't degrade in direct sun or freeze-thaw cycles in cold climates. We've run units in Minnesota winters and Arizona heat—no thermal drift or enclosure brittleness. For coastal or spray-application sites, the material is also corrosion-resistant (no powder-coat touch-ups needed).
- 6,000-Credential Limit, Primary + Secondary Gate Control: Each hub can manage one main gate and one secondary side door independently. On a campus with three buildings, you'd deploy three hubs—each with its own credential subset. If you need all 6,000 credentials on a single gate, you're at capacity; beyond that, a centralized controller with remote readers is the architecture.
Deployment Considerations:
- Indoor Cabinet Mounting Only: The hub is not rated IP67 in its shipping enclosure. For outdoor pole or fence mounting, house it in a wall-mount stainless-steel or polycarbonate NEMA 4X junction box. We've seen integrators spec a $200 enclosure and still come in well below the cost of a powered gate controller with external PoE supply.
- Cable Run Limits (Lock Current Draw Dependent): Electric strikes pull 600–800mA; on 24 AWG cable, you're limited to 25 m. Magnetic locks (400mA) go to 20 m. If your gate is 50+ meters from the hub, either upgrade to 18 AWG or run a powered relay node mid-span. Factor this into your cable budget early; upgrading wire gauge in-wall is expensive.
- UniFi Access Controller Dependency: The hub works with relay-only triggers via dry-contact closure (useful for integration with non-UniFi readers), but full credential validation, time-based access, and audit logging require a UniFi Access controller on the LAN. If your network is air-gapped, you'll need a local (containerized) controller instance—standard deployment, but worth calling out in the scope.
- PoE++ Source Availability: Not all network switches offer PoE++ on every port. Before specifying this hub, confirm your network infrastructure (switch model, available ports) supports 802.3bt—older PoE+ only switches will not power this hub. A PoE++ injector is a backup, but adds cost and footprint.
- Daisy-Chain Network Topology Requires Careful Planning: Connecting reader 1 → hub port 1, reader 2 → hub port 2, etc., is fine for simple single-gate scenarios. On multi-reader perimeter configurations, cable runs and port contention can create latency. Lag is typically <50ms even with daisy-chaining, but very high-traffic gates (1,000+ transactions/day) may benefit from a local managed switch instead.
The UA-HUB-GATE is the right choice for organizations deploying distributed gate access on PoE-powered campuses or industrial sites where power and network cabling are the primary cost drivers. Integrators familiar with Ubiquiti's UniFi ecosystem will find this hub a natural fit; it requires minimal training and integrates cleanly with UniFi controllers, mobile unlock, and third-party webhooks. For access-control shops building mixed-vendor systems or managing 50,000+ credential databases, a centralized access controller (Salto, HID, DoorKing) is a better fit. Otherwise, this is one of the lightest, most cost-effective gate hubs on the market. Explore the full Ubiquiti catalog for complementary UniFi Access readers, intercoms, and controllers.
