Veracity VHW-HWPS-CBB HIGHWIRE Powerstar PoE Extender
Overview
The Veracity VHW-HWPS-CBB is a PoE extender designed to regenerate and retransmit power and Ethernet data across extended cable runs in security and network installations. As part of the HIGHWIRE Powerstar platform, this device supports 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity, making it suitable for distributed deployments of IP cameras, access control readers, and other PoE-powered security endpoints where the distance from your primary PoE switch or injector exceeds standard Ethernet limits. Operating across a temperature range of -10°C to 50°C, the VHW-HWPS-CBB delivers reliable performance in both climate-controlled indoor environments and protected outdoor installations.
Key Features
- PoE Regeneration and Extension: Accepts PoE input on one port and regenerates full power and data on the output side—eliminating the need to run separate 24VDC power lines to remote endpoints. Particularly useful when your PoE source is 200+ feet from end devices.
- 10/100 Mbps Ethernet: Supports Fast Ethernet (100Base-TX and 10Base-T), sufficient for standard IP cameras, access control systems, and IoT-class devices that don't require Gigabit bandwidth. Reduces infrastructure cost compared to Gigabit switches in legacy or bandwidth-light deployments.
- IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at Compatibility: Works with both older PoE (af) and newer PoE+ (at) equipment, respecting power budget constraints on your source. Confirms compatibility with a wide installed base of powered devices from multiple vendors.
- Transparent Ethernet Pass-Through: Maintains full frame transparency—no modification of Ethernet or IP headers, no VLAN stripping, no protocol inspection. Your traffic reaches the far end exactly as sent, simplifying integration into mixed-vendor networks.
- Broad Operating Temperature Range (-10°C to 50°C): Rated for climate-controlled security operations centers, heated warehouses, and sheltered outdoor enclosures. Confirms safe operation in most North American temperate and cold-season installations. Not rated for extreme industrial heat or unheated outdoor winter deployments.
- Compact Form Factor: Designed for inline installation within cable runs, junction boxes, patch panels, and 19-inch rack systems. Space-efficient enough to fit into equipment cabinets without requiring dedicated shelf space.
- HIGHWIRE Ecosystem Integration: Part of Veracity's modular power and network infrastructure platform, allowing stacking and coordination with complementary power conditioning and network extension products in larger deployments.
Integration and Deployment Context
The VHW-HWPS-CBB functions as a transparent inline device in standard PoE networks. It regenerates power on the output side, so a 802.3af or 802.3at source can reliably power devices at extended distance without voltage drop or power loss that would occur on a long passive cable run. Install the extender at an intermediate point (typically in a wall box or patch panel 200–400 feet from the source) and run the remaining run to your endpoint. Verify that your source PoE switch or injector delivers adequate power budget for both the extender and the downstream device. The VHW-HWPS-CBB itself consumes power but is designed to be transparent to network protocols, so no configuration or software setup is required—connect and deploy. Consider PoE planning guidance if you are designing multi-run camera or access control systems.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your installation requires Gigabit (1000 Mbps) throughput—particularly for high-bitrate video streams, NVR backhaul, or bandwidth-intensive analytics—evaluate a Gigabit-capable PoE extender in the same HIGHWIRE family. For deployments requiring operation below -10°C (unheated outdoor enclosures in cold climates) or above 50°C (industrial or direct-sun installations), confirm temperature ratings with Veracity or select an extended-range variant. If you need integrated surge protection, filtering, or isolation, examine complementary network infrastructure products to pair with the VHW-HWPS-CBB.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How far can I extend a PoE run using the VHW-HWPS-CBB?
A: The VHW-HWPS-CBB regenerates power and data, so you can run a fresh Ethernet cable up to standard length limits (typically 328 feet / 100 meters per IEEE 802.3) from the extender to your endpoint. Total distance from source to endpoint can exceed standard limits when the extender is positioned as an intermediate repeater.
Q: What power consumption does the VHW-HWPS-CBB draw from the PoE source?
A: Exact consumption depends on the source PoE standard and load, but the device is designed to operate within 802.3af and 802.3at budgets. Confirm your source switch or injector has adequate remaining power budget for both the extender and the downstream device.
Q: Does the VHW-HWPS-CBB support VLAN tagging or priority queuing?
A: The device operates as a transparent Ethernet repeater—VLANs and priority frames pass through unchanged. No configuration is required.
Q: Can I use the VHW-HWPS-CBB in an outdoor enclosure?
A: The -10°C to 50°C operating range supports sheltered outdoor installations (roofed cabinets, protected wall boxes). For unheated or sun-exposed enclosures in extreme climates, confirm the installation environment remains within this range or specify an extended-temperature variant.
Q: Is the VHW-HWPS-CBB compatible with non-Veracity IP cameras and access control devices?
A: Yes. The device is vendor-neutral and transparent—it works with any standard 10/100 PoE device from any manufacturer that adheres to 802.3af or 802.3at.
Q: How is the VHW-HWPS-CBB installed—does it require mounting hardware?
A: The compact form factor allows inline installation in patch panels, junction boxes, or cable conduit. Optional rack-mount adapters are available for 19-inch cabinet deployment. No special wiring or configuration is needed—connect power input and data input, then connect the output to your endpoint device.
Eden PhillipsPerspective based on aggregated and affiliated engineering team experience.
I evaluated the Veracity VHW-HWPS-CBB during a distributed camera deployment across a multi-building campus where the primary PoE switch sat 250+ feet from several remote endpoints. The core value here is straightforward: when your PoE source is that far away, this extender lets you exceed standard Ethernet run limits without running dedicated 24VDC power lines to each endpoint—which is expensive, labor-intensive, and creates a separate maintenance surface. The VHW-HWPS-CBB handles the mechanical and electrical burden transparently.
Technical Highlights:
- PoE Regeneration: Accepts 802.3af or 802.3at input and outputs regenerated power and data on the remote side of long cable runs, maintaining full power delivery to end devices without voltage loss that would cripple performance on a passive 300+ foot run.
- 10/100 Mbps Pass-Through: Fast Ethernet is sufficient for all standard IP cameras (even 5MP and 8MP models), access control readers, and sensor-class devices. You don't need Gigabit here unless you're backhaul-feeding an NVR or aggregating dozens of high-bitrate streams at one switch port.
- Operating Temperature -10°C to 50°C: Covers heated warehouses, indoor cable runs, and outdoor wall-mounted junction boxes with roof protection. Above 50°C or below -10°C (unheated shipping dock, direct-sun metal enclosure), you'll need a higher-rated variant or thermal management.
Deployment Considerations:
- Budget thermal headroom: At the 50°C upper limit, the extender is operating near its ceiling. In a warm cabinet or sun-exposed box, interior temps may exceed 50°C; confirm your environment before deploying.
- Power budget arithmetic: The VHW-HWPS-CBB draws power from your PoE source. If you have a 90W switch and the extender plus endpoint consume 40W, you have 50W left for other ports. Don't assume unlimited budget—calculate it upfront, especially on older 60W injectors.
- No active management: This is a dumb repeater—no monitoring, no alerts, no status LED reporting back to your network. If the extender fails, you'll discover it when the endpoint goes dark. Consider redundant power paths or inline test points if the run is critical.
Best fit: large institutional campuses (universities, hospitals, warehouses) where multiple buildings or zones are 200–400 feet from a central switch, and running additional power infrastructure is prohibitively expensive. Also strong for retrofit scenarios where running new conduit is not feasible. Not ideal for high-motion video (sports fields, high-frequency object detection) where Gigabit bitrate might creep up, or for outdoor enclosures in unheated winter climates.
