barox PoE switches certified for use with Raytec LED illuminators

Raytec, of course, is the UK-based manufacturer of LED lighting for security, surveillance and critical infrastructure applications, as well as hazardous area, industrial and transport lighting. The company’s lighting solutions support surveillance and security systems in upwards of 500,000 locations across more than 70 countries.

In response to client and project demand, and to support systems integrators with their specification and set-up of reliable PoE when installing Raytec LED illuminators, barox and Raytec have concluded in-depth ‘proof of concept’ testing. The testing involved Raytec’s VARIO2 IP PoE network range of illuminators (including IR, WL and Hybrid options) and was performed to assess device performance and compatibility with barox’s range of PoE Ethernet switches and media converters.

Reliable and efficient PoE management 

In the testing, the range of barox PoE switches and media converters was assessed for the reliable delivery of power to the VARIO2 IP PoE range of illuminators. In addition, the ability to remotely switch the illuminators on and off via the barox Smart functionality was also tested.

“The device test yielded excellent results, with PoE being supplied to the Raytec illuminators and sustained by the barox switches,” explained Rudolf Rohr, co-founder and managing partner at barox. “The certified barox/Raytec PoE integration enables LED lighting solutions to be configured and installed with complete confidence. barox switches, which cater for the demands of any PoE device, supply 30 W, 60 W or 90 W PoE in compliance with the IEEE802.3af/at/bt standards.”

The use of barox switches to supply PoE also allows remote on and off powering to the Raytec illuminators and surveillance cameras, potentially removing the need for engineers to visit sites in those instances where an IP device has just dropped offline.

In the case of a power outage, the efficient PoE management features available on barox switches also allow the ability to maintain the operation of critical devices and extend UPS battery life.

“On losing mains power supply,” continued Rohr, “surveillance systems can provide temporary back-up power via a UPS battery pack. However, if the loss of mains power is prolonged, the local battery power can become depleted and the system ‘blacks out’. In this scenario, it would be ideal to prevent the total loss of power and system downtime by remotely switching off certain cameras and/or illuminators.”

Rohr added: “Unlike the scenario with simple network PoE injectors, by using barox switches and efficient PoE management, non-critical surveillance cameras or illuminators can be automatically controlled in order to extend battery autonomy.” 

Simplified and sustainable 

The ability to deliver and support multiple IEEE802.3 PoE standards – up to 90 W – on a single edge switch “stands barox apart” from multiple Ethernet vendors in the market, enabling end users and systems integrators to support/power cameras, other IP devices and lighting solutions from a single switch.

The barox approach simplifies equipment, reduces both points of failure and configuration time on-site, while also providing the most energy efficient and cost-effective solution.

Charlotte Lowdon-Smith, marketing communications manager at Raytec, observed: “We’re always pleased to work with barox. The compatibility between our illuminators and its PoE switches and converters gives customers real confidence when specifying PoE for the VARIO2 range. This testing process in particular has confirmed that barox switches deliver reliable and sustained power to our VAR2-IP POE-i6 and VAR2-POE-i8-1 illuminators. It’s exactly the kind of proven compatibility systems integrators are seeking on a continual basis.”

To support the installation of Raytec VARIO2 LED illuminators with barox PoE, configuration information is available from barox on request.

*Further information is available online at www.barox.uk