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Cold weather switch

A

Altered Carbon

Junior Member
Hi Everyone,

Anybody have any recommendations on a cold weather fast ethernet switch to work in below freezing temps? I had to replace the one we had with a Netgear FS108 (32F to 104F), which doesn't like the sub freezing temps here in Michigan. It's hit or miss when it works, but since this cold spell, we've had...issues.

I'd like it to work in temps -20F to -30F, just to be safe. Appreciate any help!
 
Depending on how energy-efficient the switch is, you might be able to get by using insulating material. I am using two ~3W gigabit switches as outdoor repeaters in temperatures that get down to about 20F, and I keep them a bit warmer by wrapping them in packing foam. Something that uses more power would probably keep itself pretty warm, with insulation, even in colder temperatures.
 
put it in a wooden box? make a vent connected to a hobby servo motor, driven by a thermometer. that way, when it gets warm in january (ugh) you wont risk overheating them.
 
If it really *must* survive in such harsh environments, Cisco makes a ruggedized switch called the CGS-2520-24TC (for utility companies primarily) that can operate constantly down to -40F. and up to 140F. Pretty pricey though. Otherwise, as others have said, look at a climate controlled outdoor cabinet. Either way, reliably storing equipment in outside-normal environments can be a pricey affair for anything more than your standard Wifi Access Point.
 
thecoolnessrune said:
If it really *must* survive in such harsh environments, Cisco makes a ruggedized switch called the CGS-2520-24TC (for utility companies primarily) that can operate constantly down to -40F. and up to 140F. Pretty pricey though. Otherwise, as others have said, look at a climate controlled outdoor cabinet. Either way, reliably storing equipment in outside-normal environments can be a pricey affair for anything more than your standard Wifi Access Point.
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While that would work, it's not the best Cisco switch for his application. Cisco also makes the Industrial Ethernet 2000 series, which are rated down to -40C and are much cheaper than the CGS. Of course they are still way more than a Netgear switch. For reference, list price on an IE2000 is in the $1500 range depending on which one you get (the CGS is around $5K).
 
Pheran said:
While that would work, it's not the best Cisco switch for his application. Cisco also makes the Industrial Ethernet 2000 series, which are rated down to -40C and are much cheaper than the CGS. Of course they are still way more than a Netgear switch. For reference, list price on an IE2000 is in the $1500 range depending on which one you get (the CGS is around $5K).
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I agree with you. The 6 port version is available under $1000. The caveat with the IE2000 and IE3000 switches is that they are DIN based, which means the user will need to set up a compatible DIN rail mounting system. Since he likely also won't have a DIN DC Power system on the location, he'll also have to purchase either the IE3000 AC or DC combination Power Supply, or the AC 2955 Power Supply, adding another $250 - $400 to the cost + DIN Rail mounting kits.

I have no idea what they cost, but what about something like the Siemens RuggedCom RS940G? I imagine they cost less than the Cisco equipment and the list of features is a lot closer to what the OP is trying to replace, than the Layer 2 / Layer 3 Cisco monsters.
 
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