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Powering Unipi units through PoE

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.

Patron
Neuron
Gate
Axon

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 PLC

Connection example

Planet IPOE-162S
  1. set the splitter for 24V voltage using the onboard switch
  2. connect the splitter’s V+ clamp to the PLC’s 24V clamp
  3. connect the splitter’s V- clamp to the PLC’s GND clamp
  4. using the network cable, connect the splitter’s Data Out port with the PLC’s ETH port
  5. plug an 802.3at PoE+ compatible network cable into the splitter‘s PoE In port
Planet GSD-908HP
  1. use one of the switch ports to connect it with the PoE In port on the splitter via a suitable network cable
  2. repeat the step for any other additional splitter
  3. 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

  1. maximum load of the Neuron L403 = 24 W
  2. maximum load of the splitter = 25 W
    • 25 W – 24 W = 1 W
    • the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
  3. maximum load of the switch = 100 W
    • 100 W ⁄ 24 W = 4,166

Based on these calculations, we can safely use 4 PoE+ powered Neuron L403's


2) Maximum number of connected Unipi Patron S107

  1. maximum load of the Patron S107 = 12 W
  2. maximum load of the splitter = 25 W
    • 25 W – 12 W = 13 W
    • the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
  3. maximum load of the switch = 100 W
    • 100 W ⁄ 12 W = 8,333

Based on these calculations, we can safely use 8 PoE+ powered Patron S107's


3) Various combinations of Unipi models

  1. maximum power input:
    • Patron L207 → 17 W (1x)
    • Patron M207 → 14.5 W (2x)
    • Patron S107 → 12 W (remaining)
  2. maximum load of the splitter = 25 W
    • 25 W – 12 W = 13 W
    • 25 W – 14.5 W = 10.5 W
    • 25 W – 17 W = 8 W
    • the resulting value is a positive number = suitable
  3. maximum load of the switch = 100 W
    • 100W – 17W – 2 × 14.5 W = 54 W
    • The remaining: 54 W ⁄ 12 W = 4.5

Based on these calculations, a single switch can power 1× Patron L207, 2× Patron M207 and 4× Patron S107