I'm doing a new installation of a Ubiquiti PBE400 that will require a cable run of almost 525 feet.
Now, I know I'll need a POE Extender for this but my question is if the 12 watt POE injector that comes with the Powerbeam is adequate to the task or do I need something different? I suspect the 12 watt one isn't.
My plans are to use Ubiquiti Carrier Class Tough Cable for the run but I'm open to less expensive alternatives (but only if it doesn't compromise reliability and ruggedness).
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PBE400 almost 525 ft away
Sun, 09/12/2021 - 11:35
#1
PBE400 almost 525 ft away
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The specified length limit to Ethernet cable runs is 100 meters (~330 feet). You're way beyond that. Because the Powerbeams run 100 Mbits/sec rather than 1 Gbit/sec, you might be able to get away with it.
As far as power goes, they pull no more than about 4 watts. Your biggest concern there would be voltage drop. But the nodes will run down to about 11 volts and I don't think you'll have 13 volts of drop across the line.
If you do get it running, run pings with large packet sizes and see if you're dropping any packets across that really long stretch of cable.
Report back - we'd be interested in your results.
Orv W6BI
So you're saying that a POE Extender won't work with Ubuquiti hardware?
If it's a true POE extender (that is, a two port network switch that regenerates the timing) yes.
This may be helpful: https://homenetworkgeek.com/how-far-can-you-run-an-ethernet-cable/
Exactly my plan. See https://www.poetexas.com/
Anything and everything running CAT runs over 100 meters
Excellent - please post your implementation and experiences with it.
Hope to have it installed within the next 2 weeks. (in my best Ahhhnold voice).. I'll be bach.....
Howdy:
I am somewhat sure that you will need a POE pass-through switch.
I had some random lengths of CAT5 cable laying about.
With a Ubiquiti POE-24-12W I was able to power-up and link my PBE-M5-400
with up to 474 feet of cable, but not with 524 feet of cable.
If you don't need/want any LAN connections,
perhaps a 24 watt POE and a Ubiquiti Nano Switch (N-SW) in between would suffice.
I hope this helps,
Chuck
I called TexasPOE today and they said the following would do the trick with the stock 24 v, 12 W POE injector that comes with the PBE-M5-400, guaranteed:
https://shop.poetexas.com/products/pt-poe-extender-beta?variant=12250678165576
I ordered one. Heck for under $20 delivered, worth a try!
Good catch.
Looks good to me.
I did not think about an indoor rated device.
I have only been using outdoor rated switches lately.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out,
Chuck
I plan on mounting it outside since that's where 100 meters would place it.
In a waterproof enclosure of course...
I'm presuming there's not an option to get power in closer. I'd recommend sourcing 48v POE, with a small POE-powered and passing switch at the midpoint to clean up the Ethernet signalling, and a power stepdown converter at the device. For the same power delivery, losses will be minimized with the higher voltage. You're looking at a run approaching double the limits specified in the Ethernet standards, so special actions such as these need to be taken to ensure reliable ñetwork operation.
You don't think the POE Extender will work?
I'd be concerned about the ethernet signalling on that. It indicates it's a passive device. A switch will regenerate the signalling. And there's not really anything you can do to eliminate the losses in the line. It may work, but when you significantly exceed the standard length, the chances of problems goes up significantly. This is an example of the power converter I'd recommend to have right at the radio: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1327766-REG/ubiquiti_networks_ins...
All that "passive" refers to is that it does not actively poll the device so as to adjust voltage as needed. According to TexasPOE, the data is bi-directionally regenerated.
I'm hoping to install next week and will report back
The weather hasn't been too cooperative so I haven't been able to do the installation, however I did fabricate the cables here at my shop and ran some throughput tests using the full 525 ft run (with the Extender inserted at 328 ft of course) versus a short 6' run between my hAP-LITE tunnel and a PBE400. The cable I'm using is Ubiquiti Carrier Class shielded outdoor CAT5e
Using iPerfSpeed, there was no substantial difference in speed or retries between the 2 cable lengths so it seems things will work for me just fine. (I can post the iPerfSpeed results if anyone is interested)
Better late than never I suppose.
The Pacific Northwest weather FINALLY cooperated and the installation is complete. I'm connecting to a node 25 miles away with excellent results. So anyone who needs a very long run of CAT cable for their Ubiquiti device, this is how to do it!
Nice work, Ken!
73
Orv W6BI