5-port power-over-Ethernet switch

The 5-port unmanaged Ethernet switch is combined with Power-over-Ethernet technology to connect and power Ethernet devices over a single cable. PoE, which is relatively new to industrial and plant-floor applications, is a technology to transmit power plus data to remote Ethernet devices over standard twisted-pair Cat5e cables. More formally known as IEEE 802.3af internationally, this standard specifies a supply of 48 Vdc at up to 15.4 W per port.

By Plant Engineering Staff April 21, 2008

The EKI-2525P combines a 5-port unmanaged Ethernet switch with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology to connect and power Ethernet devices over a single cable. PoE, which is relatively new to industrial and plant-floor applications, is a technology to transmit power plus data to remote Ethernet devices over standard twisted-pair Cat5e cables. More formally known as IEEE 802.3af internationally, this standard specifies a supply of 48 Vdc at up to 15.4 W per port.

The switch has four PoE ports that are capable of supplying up to 15.4 W each. Additionally, each port can automatically detect when PoE compliant devices are attached, before supplying power, allowing the use of traditional (non-PoE) Ethernet devices if needed.

Each Ethernet port is equipped with front-facing LED indicators that provide link, transmission speed, activity and PoE output status to aid in diagnosing issues with cables and attached devices. With auto-MDI/MDI-X, there is no need to use crossover cables for inter-switch connections. Auto-negotiation provides optimum link configurations and compatibility with legacy devices.

Advantech Corp., Industrial Automation Group

www.advantech.com