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Modular PoE Chassis Troubleshooting Tips
Following the Troubleshooting procedures below will usually resolve a Power over Ethernet Installation problem. The LAN Power Support Team has found that these are the most often encountered trouble items when adding Modular PoE Chassis to an existing Ethernet Network.

Modular PoE Chassis Troubleshooting Checklist

Problem 1:
The Modular PoE Chassis is plugged in but the "Power In" LEDs are not lit (Green) on some or all modules or module Ports.

Recommended Actions:
Verify the power cord is plugged in all the way into the PoE Chassis.

Verify the AC connection is "hot" by plugging in some other device and making sure there is actually power at the outlet. Input voltage must be from 90-264 VAC and 50-60Hz.

Verify that all modules are installed correctly, pushed in and seated fully into backplane connectors and that thumbscrews are snugly tightened (Caution: Do NOT over tighten thumbscrews or they will break) then check again for all "Power In" LEDs to be lit (Green). If any module "Power In" LEDs are not lit (Green) please call or write to LAN Power Systems for Technical Support.


Problem 2:
The Modular PoE Chassis is plugged in and all "Power In" LEDs are lit (Green).
But the "Power Out" LEDs are not lit solid (Blue) and End devices are not being powered.

Recommended Actions:
Verify use of working patch cables of at least Category 5 grade. Verify they are Straight-through patch cables and NOT Cross-over cables. Verify connection of good patch cable from Ethernet Switch Port to "IN" RJ-45 connection on PoE Chassis module. Verify connection of good patch cable from "OUT" RJ-45 connection on PoE Chassis module to Patching panel connection linking to End device to be powered. Make certain "IN and "Out" connections are from SAME module Port (any Port on module may be used).

IF "OUT" LED on PoE Chassis module is still not lit solid (Blue), continue with these steps.

Bring End device to be powered into the same room (wiring closet or lab) where you are working and connect it directly to the patch cable already attached to "OUT" RJ-45 Connector on PoE Chassis module. If "OUT" LED lights up solid (Blue) and power light is now lit on the End device, the PoE Chassis module Port is working fine.

The problem must be then in the Cable link going out to where the End device was first located. PoE requires the use of all 8 wires in the LAN Data cable. It is possible not all 8 wires are available or terminated in that particular link in the Structured Cabling System. Try using a different Cable link to a nearby or similar location and see if the PoE Hub can now power the End device remotely using that Cable link. OR the patch cord from the end of the Cable link to the End device could be bad, try replacing with another known good patch cable.

If You have the End device to be powered connected locally to the PoE Chassis with known good patch cords, and the "OUT" LED on the PoE Chassis does not light up (Blue) and power the End device, check the following. Verify that the Make and Model of End device you are trying to power is actually made from the Manufacturer to accept PoE. If so, verify that the style of PoE (protocol) that the End device wants to receive is the same style that the PoE Chassis is putting out.

Example: The PoE Chassis is putting out IEEE 802.3af PoE. The End device must be built ready to accept IEEE 802.3af PoE. Some products in the marketplace are not, some accept other PoE styles like legacy Cisco CDP style PoE. Others need 24v or 12v or 5 volts input. LAN Power Systems has Voltage Adapters and Power Pin and Data cables available for these low voltage PoE applications (see Products section of LAN Power Website at www.lan-power.com).


Problem 3:
PoE Chassis module Port has Input and Output LEDs both lit (Green and Blue), End device is being powered, but End device has no Data link from the Ethernet Switch (is not responding to the Network).

Recommended Actions:
Verify Ethernet Switch Port is good, turned on, and not being blocked for traffic forwarding by either a hard set or soft set in Network Management Software.

Check or change out patch cord from Switch Port to PoE Hub, making sure a Straight-through patch cord is being used and NOT a Crossover cable.

Verify Cable link to End device is at least Category 5 and has a distance of no more than 100 meters total length, including patch cables. If a Cable testing unit is available, wring out the data link to make sure there are no hidden breaks or damage to any of the cable's 8 wires and that all RJ-45 connection points along the data link are good.

Try using a different End device. If the new End device works and the Data link works correctly, the problem is with the End device. Speak with that Manufacturer for Technical support or return of the problem End device.

If these actions have all been taken and you still are not getting a functional Power and Data link to your End device, please call or write to LAN Power Systems for additional support and troubleshooting ideas.