Strapping an Omniswitch RJ-45 Port for Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Either Omniswitch RJ-45 jack can be strapped so it provides 24V Passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) to an external device. Typically this external device is an Omnitrack or possibly a Mikrotik Wi-Fi radio, although you can connect other devices as you wish.

A maximum of 10 watts is available for all PoE devices. Often it is the PC that is the limiting factor. If your PC is unable to supply enough power over USB-C, then you may need supply DC power through the "DC IN" jack, from a battery or a AC/DC adapter.

Do not connect a non-PoE device to a jack that is strapped for PoE. You may damage your device or the Omniswitch.

Strapping the Omniswitch for PoE requires the proper equipment (a good, small-tip soldering iron suitable for printed circuit board work and good electronics-grade resin-core solder) and excellent soldering skills. If you lack either, STOP and get them before proceeding. And, if necessary, you can send the unit to Cerulean Sonar we will do the soldering for you.

You can strap just port A, just port B, or both, or neither. You must open the case to do the strapping.

Each port has four solder bridges that need to be shorted (gold pads in the red boxed areas below). A solder bridge is two pads with a narrow chevron-shaped gap between them. To short it, you add enough solder to make a connection between the two pads.

To strap a port, bridge ALL FOUR solder bridges associated with the port by shorting the pad pair together with solder. Take care you do not also short to a neighboring pad.

When strapped, the amber LED on the RJ-45 jack will be lit whether or not a device is connected to the jack.

To remove the strap, remove ALL FOUR solder bridges for the port using solder wick or a vacuum de-soldering tool.