What is in-vehicle poe switch and how to choose it

An in-vehicle PoE switch is an industrial-grade network switching device specifically designed for automotive environments. Beyond providing standard data transmission capabilities, it supports power delivery to in-vehicle devices via Ethernet cables. This enables devices to receive both data and power through a single cable, significantly simplifying the wiring complexity of in-vehicle systems and enhancing the convenience of device installation.For many in vehicle ethernet systems, choosing a reliable ethernet switch that can run in vehicle is essential, as it ensures stable operation under high-speed driving and complex environmental conditions.

Types and Features of In-Vehicle PoE Switches

Railway Transportation PoE Switch

Primarily used in subway, high-speed rail, light rail, and other rail vehicles. The core requirements in such scenarios are to withstand long-term high vibration, strong electromagnetic interference, and extreme temperatures (such as high temperatures in tunnels or extremely cold outdoor conditions). Therefore, the design focuses on "high stability": standard M12 connectors (waterproof and shockproof, ensuring stable connections in vibrating environments), compliant with EN50155, IEC61373 and other rail transit standards, and can support the stable operation of equipment such as carriage monitoring and wireless APs.

Road Vehicle PoE Switch

Primarily used in road vehicles such as buses, long-distance coaches, and logistics vehicles. The core requirements in such scenarios are to adapt to fluctuations in vehicle power supply and limited installation space. The design focuses on "flexible adaptation": the power supply must support a wide voltage range of 9V to 36V DC (to handle voltage fluctuations or surges in vehicles), interfaces are primarily RJ45, the device is compact in size and supports flexible installation options such as wall mounting or DIN rail mounting, and it primarily serves devices such as onboard surveillance, PIS (Passenger Information System) devices.

Why Do You Need an In-Vehicle PoE Switch?

The unique characteristics of the automotive environment make it difficult for traditional office or home network equipment to meet requirements. Automotive Ethernet requires switches capable of handling both power and data transmission simultaneously. To ensure the stability of in-vehicle devices, particularly as the number of automotive Ethernet devices continues to increase in modern automotive systems, the use of industry-standard equipment such as automotive PoE switches is critical for ensuring efficient and safe system operation.

Simplified Cabling

In traditional vehicle networks, each device typically requires separate power and data cables, increasing installation complexity, costs, and maintenance challenges. PoE technology delivers both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, reducing cabling and device count while simplifying the vehicle network architecture.

Reduced Points of Failure

By using PoE power supply, the need for additional hardware such as power adapters, sockets, and connectors is eliminated, thereby reducing potential points of failure and maintenance costs.

Stable Power Supply

In-vehicle PoE switches can provide a stable power supply via network cables without concerns about battery or power management issues. This is particularly effective for devices with high power requirements, such as in-vehicle cameras, wireless APs, and displays.

Adapt to harsh environments

In-vehicle devices may need to operate in extreme temperature, humidity, and vibration conditions. The design of in-vehicle PoE switches fully considers these factors, ensuring stable operation in high-temperature, low-temperature, and vibration environments.

Enhancing System Stability

In-vehicle PoE switches typically feature redundant power supplies, VLANs, and QoS (Quality of Service) functionality, ensuring that in-vehicle networks operate stably and reliably, thereby preventing issues such as data packet loss or network interruptions.

How to Choose the Right In-Vehicle PoE Switch?

When selecting an ethernet switch that can run in vehicle, consider the specific scenario and requirements:

For Railway Transportation

Interface Type: Choose M12 connectors for stable operation under vibration.

Wide Temperature Range: -40℃ ~ +70℃ for tunnels and outdoor environments.

PoE Power: Ensure compliance with IEEE 802.3af/at/bt for high-power devices.

EMC Resistance: High EMC grade to minimize electromagnetic interference.

Certifications: EN50155, CE, FCC compliance is essential.

For Road Vehicles

Power Input: 9V–36V DC wide voltage support.

Bandwidth: Gigabit ethernet for high-definition cameras and Wi-Fi APs.

Compact Size: Flexible installation options to fit limited spaces.

Redundant Power: For emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire trucks), redundancy ensures uninterrupted service.

Environmental Adaptability: Wide temperature support (-40℃ ~ +75℃) and vibration resistance.

PoE Standards & Certification: Select based on connected devices' power needs, with E-mark, CE, FCC compliance.

Conclusion

In-vehicle PoE switches are a critical component of vehicle networking systems. They not only simplify cabling and enhance system stability but also provide power to onboard devices. When selecting a PoE switch, factors such as power standards, port count, vibration resistance, environmental adaptability, and network management capabilities must be considered to ensure stable and reliable operation across diverse vehicle scenarios.

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