Ubiquiti UACC-LRE Long-Range Ethernet Repeater
Overview
The Ubiquiti UACC-LRE is a gigabit Ethernet repeater designed to extend PoE-powered network deployments across long distances—up to 1 kilometer between nodes. Built for outdoor and distributed UniFi installations, the UACC-LRE features two GbE RJ45 ports and accepts PoE or PoE+ input, then delivers 22.5W of passthrough PoE power to downstream devices such as IP cameras and access points. This passthrough capability eliminates the need for a separate injector at the far end, reducing installation complexity and cost in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
Key Features
- 2 Gbps non-blocking throughput with 4 Gbps switching capacity: Handles multiple simultaneous camera or network streams without congestion. At 2 Gbps full-duplex, you're not bottlenecking 1080p or even 4K video traffic across a single link—relevant if you're daisy-chaining multiple cameras or access points through one repeater node.
- 22.5W passthrough PoE output: Sufficient to power a typical IP camera (5–15W) or Wi-Fi access point (up to 22W) at the far end without requiring a second power injector. Saves a device slot and simplifies field wiring, especially in warehouse or yard deployments where running separate power is impractical.
- Up to 1 km (3,280 ft) link distance: Extends network reach across large campuses, parking areas, or agricultural sites without intermediate active equipment. Useful for remote loading docks, perimeter monitoring, or outdoor storage where trenching additional power/fiber is costly.
- IPX5 weatherproof enclosure with UV-stabilized polycarbonate: Withstands direct spray and moisture without degradation. IPX5 stops just short of submersion (that requires IPX7 or higher), so don't use this in flood zones or fully submerged applications. Stainless steel hardware resists corrosion in coastal or high-salt environments.
- Operating temperature range -40°C to +80°C (-40°F to +176°F): Functions in arctic warehouses, hot industrial yards, or outdoor telecom huts without thermal shutdown. Humidity tolerance of 10–95% non-condensing handles humid maritime or tropical climates.
- 10 kA+ surge protection with ±30 kV ESD/EMP ratings: Protects against lightning strikes and electrical transients common in outdoor or tower-mounted installations. This hardening is essential if you're running cable across open ground or near power lines.
- Compact form factor (196.5 × 93.5 × 39 mm, 350 g): Small and light enough to mount on a pole, mast, or wall bracket without structural reinforcement. Low weight also simplifies shipping and reduces installation labor.
- Chainable architecture: Multiple UACC-LRE units can be daisy-chained to create multi-hop networks, extending coverage beyond 1 km. Each device repeats the signal and provides PoE to the next segment.
Integration & Compatibility
The UACC-LRE works with any standard PoE or PoE+ injector or PoE-capable network switch. It is agnostic to the upstream source, so it integrates equally well into Ubiquiti UniFi deployments or third-party PoE infrastructure. No special controller or management interface is required—it operates as a transparent repeater, passing Ethernet frames and power simultaneously.
Suitable for outdoor installations where environmental hardness and long-distance reach are non-negotiable. Refer to your upstream switch or injector documentation to confirm PoE+ budget; the UACC-LRE itself draws power from its input port and reissues up to 22.5W downstream, so the injector must supply sufficient capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I run the UACC-LRE indoors?
A: Yes, it operates indoors without issue. However, its weatherproof design and wide temperature tolerance make it overkill for typical office or data-center environments. Consider it if you need extended Ethernet distance in unheated storage areas, manufacturing floors, or labs with temperature extremes.
Q: What happens if I exceed 1 km distance?
A: Signal attenuation over longer Cat5e/Cat6 runs will reduce link reliability. Ubiquiti rates 1 km as the maximum reliable distance; beyond that, use intermediate active equipment (another repeater) or fiber media converters.
Q: Does the UACC-LRE require configuration or a controller?
A: No. It operates as a plug-and-play repeater. Simply inject PoE at one end, connect your camera or access point to the output, and connect the input to your switch. No software, no IP address assignment, no licensing.
Q: Can I use this with non-Ubiquiti devices?
A: Yes. The UACC-LRE is a standard PoE repeater. Any PoE or PoE+ powered device (camera, access point, sensor) that fits within the 22.5W budget will work. It is vendor-agnostic.
Q: What is the power budget if I chain multiple UACC-LRE units?
A: Each unit draws power from its input and outputs 22.5W. If you chain two repeaters and a camera, calculate total wattage: Repeater 1 (~5–10W) + Repeater 2 (~5–10W) + Camera (~10W) = ~25W total. Ensure your injector or PoE switch supplies at least this much headroom, factoring in cable losses.
Q: Is the UACC-LRE suitable for coastal or high-salt environments?
A: The stainless steel hardware and UV-stabilized enclosure handle corrosive conditions better than standard aluminum equipment. However, for extreme coastal spray, apply a conformal coating to exposed connectors and periodically rinse with fresh water to extend service life.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The UACC-LRE (often searched as UACC LRE) is a straightforward solution for the 1 km reach problem that plagues outdoor surveillance and distributed UniFi rollouts. If you're deploying cameras or access points at a gatehouse, remote parking structure, or yard perimeter more than 100 meters from your switch cabinet, standard CAT6 runs start incurring voltage drop and signal loss—the UACC-LRE solves both by actively regenerating the signal and boosting PoE to its rated 22.5W output. The real value is that you don't need a second injector in the field.
Technical Highlights:
- 22.5W passthrough PoE: Adequate for a typical 5–15W camera plus cabling losses. Eliminates redundant hardware and reduces wiring runs to single Ethernet drops—material saving on labor and material in large perimeter builds.
- 1 km transparent reach: Extends the Ethernet collision domain without latency or protocol overhead. At gigabit speeds (1–2 Gbps real-world duplex), you're not introducing jitter or detectable delay on real-time video or access-control traffic.
- IPX5 + ±30 kV surge hardening: Outdoor-grade protection that survives direct rain and nearby lightning strikes. The 10 kA+ threshold is necessary if you're running cable across open ground or alongside AC power.
- -40°C to +80°C operating range: Handles cold warehouses and hot industrial yards without thermal management. 10–95% humidity tolerance covers humid maritime and tropical climates without condensation risk.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 1 km limit is per hop. If your remote site is 2 km away, you'll need two repeaters daisy-chained—verify your injector supplies sufficient total power budget (roughly 10–15W per repeater plus the device load).
- At-risk failure mode: passive surge protection wears out after multiple lightning strikes. In lightning-heavy zones, consider adding a secondary external surge suppressor on the input pair, or plan for periodic unit replacement.
- PoE passthrough is fixed at 22.5W—you cannot adjust or limit it. If your downstream device is PoE-sensitive (e.g., certain older analog-to-IP converters), confirm compatibility before field deployment.
The UACC-LRE fits best in distributed warehouse automation, perimeter security, and rural or campus surveillance where cable runs exceed practical switch-to-camera distance and a second power source isn't available. It is not a substitute for true managed network extension (fiber, dark fiber, or long-reach switches)—it is a single-hop, plug-and-play PoE extender for the 1 km reach case.
