UniFi Long-Range PoE Switching: Power Devices up to 800 Metres Away

What Is UniFi Long-Range PoE Switching?

UniFi Long-Range PoE switching lets businesses send network connectivity and PoE power to devices well beyond the normal 100 metre Ethernet limit. With the right UniFi Long-Range equipment, a single Ethernet cable can reach up to 800 metres.

That makes it particularly useful for CCTV cameras, gates and entrances, access control, outbuildings and large commercial sites, where a device sits a long way from the nearest comms cabinet.

Ubiquiti launched two products at the end of October 2026 to do this: the Long-Range Switch 8 PoE and the Outdoor Long-Range Endpoint. Our Ubiquiti experts in London can tell you whether it suits your site, and our network cabling and structured cabling team can run the cable.

Who is this guide for?

It is written for facilities managers, IT managers and business owners who need to reach a remote camera, gate or building and want to understand the options before spending money.

How Does UniFi Long-Range PoE Work?

The system has four parts, connected in a simple chain:

The switch sits in your comms cabinet. The long cable runs out to the endpoint. The endpoint then powers and connects your device, such as a camera or door reader, through its pass-through PoE+++ port.

What hardware is actually required?

• Long-Range Switch 8 PoE: eight long-range PoE+++ ports, plus a 1 GbE RJ45 port and a 1G SFP port for connecting back to your main network.
• Outdoor Long-Range Endpoint: one per long run. Ubiquiti says it is required for long-range performance. It is IPX5 rated with built-in surge protection.
• Quality Ethernet cable: the right cable for the route (see the cable section below).
• The PoE device itself: camera, access reader, intercom, sensor or access point.

What happens if you use an ordinary PoE switch?

A standard PoE switch is still limited to around 100 metres. Beyond that, the link becomes unreliable or drops altogether. Traditionally you would fix that with an extra switch part way along the run, a PoE extender, or fibre. Long-range PoE is designed to remove that middle step.

Can UniFi PoE Really Reach 800 Metres?

Yes, but “up to 800 metres” does not mean every PoE device can simply be connected to an 800 metre cable. The distance you achieve, and the power available at the far end, depend on the UniFi Long-Range equipment used, the cabling and the power needs of the connected device.

What determines the maximum distance?

• The endpoint: you need the Outdoor Long-Range Endpoint to get beyond the standard limit.
• Cable quality: conductor size and solid copper make a real difference.
• The route: joins, patch points and damaged sections all reduce reach.
• Interference: running alongside mains power or heavy machinery can affect the signal.
• The device’s power draw: high-power devices leave less margin on long runs.

What does real-world testing show?

One independent test reached around 600 metres in practice. We plan long-range runs with headroom, rather than designing right up to the headline figure.

How Much PoE Power Is Available at Long Distances?

Each long-range port can deliver up to 90W (PoE+++) from the switch. That is enough for demanding devices such as PTZ cameras and heated outdoor cameras.

Can all eight ports run at 90W at once?

No. Ubiquiti’s specifications list a total PoE budget of 630W across the switch. Eight ports at 90W would need 720W, so you need to plan the total load across all the devices you connect.

What happens to power as distance increases?

Some power is always lost along a copper cable, and the longer the cable, the more is lost. That means the power reaching the device at 800 metres is lower than the 90W leaving the switch. Ubiquiti has not published a power-at-distance table, so we check each device’s power requirement against the planned run during the survey.

Which UniFi Devices Support Long-Range PoE?

The endpoint has a pass-through PoE+++ port, so it is designed to power standard PoE devices at the far end, not only UniFi products. Typical examples include UniFi Protect cameras, UniFi Access readers and intercoms, IoT sensors and access points.

Is it fast enough for my devices?

The eight long-range ports run at 10/100 Mbps. That is plenty for cameras, door controllers and sensors, which use very little bandwidth.

It is not the right choice for a busy remote office or a heavily used Wi-Fi access point, where 100 Mbps would become a bottleneck. For those, fibre is the better option.

Is there an official compatibility list?

Ubiquiti has not published a device-by-device compatibility list at launch. We confirm each device’s power class and bandwidth needs before recommending long-range PoE.

What Cable Should You Use for Long-Range PoE?

Cable is the most common reason long runs underperform, so this matters more than it does on a normal office network.

• Use solid copper cable: avoid copper-clad aluminium (CCA), which loses more power and fails more often under PoE.
• Use outdoor-rated cable for external runs: UV-resistant sheath, and gel-filled or direct-burial cable where it goes underground.
• Use proper ducting: protect the cable from damage, water and rodents.
• Keep joins to a minimum: every joint is a weak point on a long run.
• Test every run: we test and document each cable before the device goes live.

Ubiquiti has not yet published a recommended cable category for the long-range ports, so we specify cable for each route at survey stage.

UniFi Long-Range PoE vs Standard PoE vs Fibre

Each option has its place. This is how they compare:

*Up to 800m requires the Outdoor Long-Range Endpoint. Real-world distance depends on cable quality, the route, interference and the power the connected device needs, and may be shorter.

When should you use fibre instead?

• When you need gigabit or faster speeds at the far end.
• When you are linking two buildings or network cabinets, rather than a single device.
• When the run is longer than long-range PoE can reliably reach.
• When the cable passes high-interference areas or needs electrical isolation between buildings.

Where Does Long-Range PoE Make Sense?

It works best where devices are spread out and power is hard to reach. Here are some common scenarios.

Car parks and CCTV

Connect remote IP cameras where the nearest comms cabinet would otherwise be beyond standard Ethernet distance, without adding a cabinet on a lamp post or wall.

Automatic gates and entrances

Extend connectivity and power to intercoms, access control and cameras at the site boundary, often with no mains supply nearby.

Warehouses and industrial sites

Reach equipment at the far end of a large building without installing another network cabinet half way along the run.

Schools, campuses and sports grounds

Cover perimeter cameras, pavilions and outbuildings across large grounds from a single central switch.

Hotels and venues with large grounds

Connect cameras and access points around car parks, gardens and outbuildings. This fits well with a wider UniFi smart building solution, where cameras, access control and the network are managed in one place.

Construction sites and temporary installations

Power site cameras and access points quickly, then reuse the kit on the next project.

What Should You Check Before Installation?

A few checks up front avoid expensive surprises later.

• The measured cable route, not the straight-line distance.
• The power class of every device you plan to connect.
• The total PoE load against the 630W switch budget.
• The bandwidth each device needs.
• Where the endpoint will be mounted and how it is protected.
• Ducting, ground works and any permissions needed for the cable route.

Is it secure?

Cameras and door readers on the edge of your site are a target. Put them on their own network segment, keep firmware up to date and lock down remote access. Our IT security services can review this for you.

Will it work with my existing UniFi network?

It is a UniFi switch, so it is designed to be adopted and managed in UniFi Network alongside your other UniFi kit. If you are also planning an update, read our guide to UniFi Network 11: What London Businesses Need to Know Before Upgrading.

Planning new access points at the same time? Our article Wi-Fi 7 is here: your network is not ready explains what to check first.

Is UniFi Long-Range PoE Right for Your Business?

It is likely to suit you if you have low-bandwidth devices more than 100 metres from a comms cabinet, and getting power to them is difficult or expensive. If you need high speeds or are linking buildings, fibre is usually the better choice. Many sites end up with a mix of both.

What does a long-range PoE project involve?

1. Site survey: we check distances, cable routes and power needs.
2. Design: we choose the right mix of long-range PoE, standard PoE and fibre.
3. Cabling: our cabling team installs and tests every run.
4. Installation: we fit the switch, endpoints and devices, and set up network segments.
5. Support: our IT network support team monitors and maintains it afterwards.

Planning a Long-Range UniFi Installation?

Not sure whether long-range PoE, fibre or another network design is right for your site? Speedster IT can assess the distance, connected devices, PoE requirements and cabling before recommending an approach.

Call us on 0204 511 9111, email hello@speedster-it.com or talk to our UniFi team to arrange a site survey.

Louise

With over 15 years at Speedster IT, I’ve built a career around helping businesses navigate the evolving world of technology. I publish all the content for the IT Support London Blog and Cyber Security Blog, where I share practical insights on infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity trends, and smart IT strategies for growing companies.