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Connection of Unipi using PoE splitter
This tutorial describes the connection of Unipi controllers using 802.3at PoE+ splitter. This connection is useful especially if you need to place the PLC in locations lacking a conventional ~230V socket (ie. sensor stations). This tutorial will show you how to power the Unipi over Ethernet cable while retaining local network connectivity.
Components used in the tutorial
- Cat6 network cable (RJ45)
- conductor (Cu, 0.5mm2)
- Planet IPOE-162S PoE splitter
- Planet GSD-908HP network switch
- The switch used is just one of possible variants. You can use any 802.3at PoE+ compliant network switch.
- Unipi Axon PLC
Connection example
Planet IPOE-162S
- set the splitter for 24V voltage using the onboard switch
- connect the splitter’s V+ clamp to the PLC’s 24V clamp
- connect the splitter’s V- clamp to the PLC’s GND clamp
- using the network cable, connect the splitter’s Data Out port with the PLC’s ETH port
- plug an 802.3at PoE+ compatible network cable into the splitter‘s PoE In port
Planet GSD-908HP
- use one of the switch ports to connect it with the PoE In port on the splitter via a suitable network cable
- repeat the step for any other additional splitter
- connect the WAN network cable into the port 9
Technical data
Using a single splitter to power multiple PLCs is not recommended!
Calculating the maximum load – examples
The calculations below are applicable for GSD-908HP PoE+ switch and IPOE-162S PoE+ splitter.
1) Maximum number of connected Unipi Neuron L403 controllers
- maximum load of the Neuron L403 = 25W
- maximum load of the splitter = 25W
- 25W – 24W = 1W
- the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
- maximum load of the switch = 100W
- 100W ⁄ 24W = 4,166
Based on these calculations, we can safely use 4 PoE+ powered Neuron L403's
2) Maximum number of connected Unipi Axon S105
- maximum load of the Axon S105 = 25W
- maximum load of the splitter = 25W
- 25W – 12W = 13W
- the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
- maximum load of the switch = 100W
- 100W ⁄ 12W = 8,333
Based on these calculations, we can safely use 8 PoE+ powered Axon S105's
3) Various combinations of Unipi models
- maximum power input:
- Axon L205 → 19,5W (1x)
- Axon M205 → 16W (2x)
- Axon S105 → 12W (remaining)
- maximum load of the splitter = 25W
- 25W – 12W = 13W
- 25W – 16W = 9W
- 25W – 19.5W = 5.5W
- the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
- maximum load of the switch = 100W
- 100W – 19,5W – 2x16W = 48.5W
- The remaining: 48.5W ⁄ 12W = 4.041
Based on these calculations, a single switch can power 1× Axon L205, 2× Axon M205 and 4× Axon S105