Reolink RLA-PS1 8-Port PoE Switch: features, specs and who it suits

The Reolink RLA-PS1 is a 10-port network switch that sends both data and power down the same Ethernet cable. It is designed for Reolink PoE cameras and the RLN36 network video recorder (NVR), so each camera needs only one cable run instead of a cable plus a power adapter.

What Power over Ethernet does

Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivers electricity to a device through the same twisted-pair cable that carries its network traffic. For security cameras, this matters because cameras are often mounted under eaves or on poles, far from an outlet. With PoE, the only thing you need to reach the camera is the cable.

The RLA-PS1 follows the IEEE 802.3af/at standards. Reolink says each PoE port can supply up to 30W, which is the upper limit of the 802.3at (PoE+) standard.

Ports and speeds

The switch has eight PoE ports running at 10/100Mbps and two Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports at 10/100/1000Mbps. The uplinks are meant for connecting to an NVR, a router or the rest of your network. A speed of 100Mbps per camera port is typically enough for IP cameras, since a single camera stream usually uses a small fraction of that, though high-resolution cameras with high bitrates use more.

The 120W power limit

Eight ports at 30W each would add up to 240W, but the switch has a total limit of 120W across all PoE ports. That is a common arrangement. Most cameras draw far less than 30W, often around 5 to 15W, so a full set of eight typical cameras can fit within the limit. Check the power draw of your own cameras and add it up.

Power management

If the total power requested goes above 120W, Reolink says the switch powers off lower-priority ports one at a time until the total is back under the limit. The aim is to keep higher-priority ports running and protect the switch from overload. The switch also detects whether a connected device is a PoE device and only supplies power if it needs it, so ordinary non-PoE equipment is not sent power.

Setting it up and mounting

Reolink describes the switch as plug and play: connect each PoE camera to a PoE port and the switch handles power. The metal casing measures 7.1 x 4.7 x 1.2 inches (about 18 x 12 x 3 cm) and can sit on a desk or be mounted on a wall.

There are a few ways to connect it, according to Reolink:

• Direct to the NVR, for a setup that keeps the cameras on their own network.
• Onto the same local network as the NVR, which Reolink says supports more camera features.
• Without an NVR, linking the cameras and your router through the switch.

Who it suits

It suits home and small-business camera systems with several PoE cameras, particularly Reolink ones, where tidy single-cable installs are wanted. It is less relevant if you only have one or two cameras, or if your cameras use their own power supplies and Wi-Fi.

What to check before you buy

• Camera count and power: add up the rated wattage of your cameras and compare it with the 120W total.
• PoE standard: confirm your cameras support 802.3af or 802.3at.
• Speed needs: the camera ports are 10/100Mbps; check that suits your cameras' data rates.
• Cable lengths: Ethernet cable runs have a standard maximum length, typically 100 metres, so plan the route.
• Placement: decide on desktop or wall mounting and allow for ventilation.
• What's in the box: check the listing or manual for the power supply and mounting parts.

The short version

• A 10-port switch with eight PoE ports and two Gigabit uplink ports.
• Supports IEEE 802.3af/at, with up to 30W per port and 120W in total.
• Power management switches off lower-priority ports if the limit is exceeded.
• Metal casing, desktop or wall mounting.
• Designed for Reolink PoE cameras and the RLN36 NVR, with options for connecting without an NVR.

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