Antaira Releases Industrial PoE Switches for Extreme Environments

Antaira Technologies has expanded its catalog with the addition of two new industrial PoE managed switches, both of which are capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. The LMP-2804G-4XS-24-T and the LMP-2812G-4X8S-24-T Ethernet switches contain an assortment of ports, with each port capable of handling 30 W for PoE devices while maintaining their cool, even without the assistance of a fan.

The Antaira LMP-2804G-4XS-24T includes 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and four SFP+ slots. Image used courtesy of Antaira

What Is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

Both of Antaira’s new network switches feature PoE capability. PoE offers the ability to power devices on Ethernet cables used for data transmission. This simplifies installation, cabling, troubleshooting, and other logistical concerns. Instead of running separate power lines, power can be delivered along the Ethernet cables.

Good PoE switches have multiple ports that can supply enough power to run many devices at once. Their specifications clearly state how much power is available at each port and what can be expected when running multiple devices at once.

Industrial PoE Switches

Antaira’s new LMP-2804G-4XS-24T and LMP-2812G-4X8S-24T switches have similar power capabilities, allowing up to 30 W per port. Both of these switches use the Antaira iPoE Budget Control, which allows for the voltage output to be adjusted automatically to meet the needs of the devices.

The Antaira LMP-2812G-4X8S-24T includes 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, four SFP+ slots, and eight standard SFP ports. Image used courtesy of Antaira

Besides power specifications, both switches can withstand extreme temperatures. They can be used in environments from -40 ℃ to 75 ℃, making them suitable for the harshest industrial environments. In particular, high-temperature tolerance is essential for applications where many devices draw 30 W each, as this can cause excess heat at the switch. Furthermore, the temperature is maintained with a fanless design, meaning fewer moving parts and maintenance, as well as the ability to deploy this system in dusty environments.

The primary difference between the two models is the port configurations. The 2804 model has 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and four SFP+ slots, while the 2812 model has 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, four SFP+ slots, and eight standard SFP ports. In other words, for applications that require many Gigabit Ethernet ports, the 2804 is a good choice, but for versatile applications where devices use different ports, the 2812 has a greater variety of ports available.

With a fanless design and wide operating temperature, Antaira’s newest network switches are suitable for use in extreme environments and temperatures. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

PoE Applications

PoE is used in a variety of industries and virtually all manufacturing markets. Outside of the factory, PoE is used for wastewater treatment, utilities and power management, security cameras, and other such markets where high-speed sensor data and reasonably low power requirements can be combined on the same cabling.

The new switches’ wide-temperature tolerance is a huge advantage for harsh environments. Also, the ability of these switches to leverage iPoE Budget Control to vary the power output makes these switches versatile for many platforms. Consider an emergency power installation that relies on the output from a solar panel at 36 V DC and the output from a car battery (12 V to 13.8 V). With these switches, the power can be adjusted as needed, even across different input power sources.