WTB: POE injectors or POE switches

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Forums › Offers and Wanted › WTB: POE injectors or POE switches

neon

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#324289 24-Mar-2026 16:27

I managed to find several grandstream access points (GWN7660) from the other thread, but these are powered by POE (48v) that I didn't think about.

Looking for several poe injectors or some small switches that can do poe (48v). Anyone got any sitting around that I can buy for cheap? (looking for something cheap if possible (so I don't have to order from aliexpress or watch trademe/marketplace).

Should support gigabit :)

I'm in auckland.

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#3473243 24-Mar-2026 16:47

PM'd

Xile

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#3473258 24-Mar-2026 17:39

PM'd also.

neon

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#3473302 24-Mar-2026 20:44

Thank you, PM'd everyone back :)

Im ideally looking for a POE switch as it would make things a lot easier/nicer than buying a bunch of injectors (specially if i end up with a bunch of mismatch injectors haha). But failing to find a switch, i will definitely be keen for injectors :)

MichaelNZ

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#3473307 24-Mar-2026 21:02

Since my PM I have had a look at the specs and it specifically states active PoE so I would suggest either a switch or injectors which support this.

The units I linked you to are passive PoE.

GWN7660 GWN 2x2:2 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point

This is the style you will need and even then have to check the specs.

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers | ZL2NET

neon

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#3473309 24-Mar-2026 21:29

MichaelNZ:

Since my PM I have had a look at the specs and it specifically states active PoE so I would suggest either a switch or injectors which support this.

The units I linked you to are passive PoE.

GWN7660 GWN 2x2:2 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point

This is the style you will need and even then have to check the specs.

Im a bit of a noob on this, i was a bit confused with the fact that POE seems to come with 12V, 24V, and 48V (maybe other variations that i have missed too, but i have also seem 54V etc which i assume would work fine on a 48V). So, im fairly confused as to what POE switch/injector i should be using.

The facts i know: Grandstream GWN7660 has input voltage of 48V (written on the back of it).

So, if i have an injector (active or passive), so long as it has spec written for 48v, then i assume it would work, right?

Now as for the POE switches, i have noooo idea. None of the spec sheets really say what voltage it send through POE, so im at a loss. I was just going to buy one and YOLO, hope for the best.

Do all POE switches do active POE?

MichaelNZ

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#3473312 24-Mar-2026 21:42

neon:

Im a bit of a noob on this, i was a bit confused with the fact that POE seems to come with 12V, 24V, and 48V (maybe other variations that i have missed too, but i have also seem 54V etc which i assume would work fine on a 48V). So, im fairly confused as to what POE switch/injector i should be using.

Specifying a Voltage is a passive PoE thing but if you have active it will supply the Voltage it needs. If the device works with 48V you could try passive and a 48V PSU but I wouldn't bother. Active PoE injectors mostly have inbuilt PSU's so work out cheaper then the passive one I send you the link and a PSU on top.

I wouldn't over-think this. What you are dealing with is a very common style device and can be powered in a very normal way.

At 9W it will work with the lowest standard which is 802.3af which is good to 15W.

I have not seen a PoE switch which does not do active but its safe to say any common unit you are likely to be buying should be good. Its the "safe" choice here.

The other advantage is active won't feed power to a device which doesn't need it so you can safely plug anything in like your laptop.

My whole switched LAN is fed via a Mikrotik CRS328-24P-4S+RM

The only thing this can't do is newer high power devices which require 802.3bt. For Wifi CPE this only affects some wifi 7 models. So not relevant for either of us.

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cddt

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#3473386 25-Mar-2026 10:13

I would not recommend using a passive injector with these APs. In fact when I got my first GWN7660 I tried with a passive UniFi PoE injector my cousin had spare, it didn't work. Fortunately didn't damage the AP.

I would just get a cheap PoE switch from PB Tech... TP-Link or you can stay within the Grandstream ecosystem and get a GWN7700P (haven't used these myself).

neon

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#3473448 25-Mar-2026 11:18

cddt:

I would not recommend using a passive injector with these APs. In fact when I got my first GWN7660 I tried with a passive UniFi PoE injector my cousin had spare, it didn't work. Fortunately didn't damage the AP.

I would just get a cheap PoE switch from PB Tech... TP-Link or you can stay within the Grandstream ecosystem and get a GWN7700P (haven't used these myself).

Oh, why didnt that show up on my search. I think GWN7700P maybe what i need.

What exactly is the difference between the managed and unmanaged switches, if i buy in the same ecosystem vs outside (like old cisco managed switch)? I have a GWN7001 router, and bunch of GWN7660 access points (so just looking for a POE switch in between - managed or unmanaged, grandstream or other brand).

MichaelNZ

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#3473449 25-Mar-2026 11:22

neon:

What exactly is the difference between the managed and unmanaged switches, if i buy in the same ecosystem vs outside (like old cisco managed switch)? I have a GWN7001 router, and bunch of GWN7660 access points (so just looking for a POE switch in between - managed or unmanaged, grandstream or other brand).

There are two types of managed switch:

Layer-2 - has Vlan capability. This is recommended.

Layer-3 - Has additional router-like IP functionality (though not usable as a router). Unless you have a need for your switch to do stuff like OSPF or SSH I wouldn't bother. FWIW the switch I have (and linked above) is Layer-3 so probably a bit more pricey then you wanted.

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tangerz

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#3473455 25-Mar-2026 11:49

neon:

What exactly is the difference between the managed and unmanaged switches, if i buy in the same ecosystem vs outside (like old cisco managed switch)? I have a GWN7001 router, and bunch of GWN7660 access points (so just looking for a POE switch in between - managed or unmanaged, grandstream or other brand).

I'd go for a managed switch, something like this: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/switches/gwn7711p.html

Or for something with a little more speed as WiFi moves ahead: https://acquire.co.nz/p/grandstream-networks/grandstream-networks-gwn7721p-layer-2-lite-managed-multi-gig-gwn7721p-9840506

Either of those fit nicely in your ecosystem and having managed switches will allow you better network management options going forward, (VLANs etc)

Edit: Had to replace second link as product was no longer showing.

sqishy

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#3473630 25-Mar-2026 15:37

I got 2 of these from PBTech. Seems to work well running my Security Cameras.

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cddt

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#3473632 25-Mar-2026 15:45

Definitely ensure they have capability to do VLAN tagging.

shrub

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#3473638 25-Mar-2026 16:10

sqishy:

I got 2 of these from PBTech. Seems to work well running my Security Cameras.

These are only 100mps only recommend for IP Cameras not Wi-Fi access points

This is a much better solution https://www.gowifi.co.nz/switches/gwn7700mp.html

neon

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#3473642 25-Mar-2026 16:15

MichaelNZ:

neon:

What exactly is the difference between the managed and unmanaged switches, if i buy in the same ecosystem vs outside (like old cisco managed switch)? I have a GWN7001 router, and bunch of GWN7660 access points (so just looking for a POE switch in between - managed or unmanaged, grandstream or other brand).

There are two types of managed switch:

Layer-2 - has Vlan capability. This is recommended.

Layer-3 - Has additional router-like IP functionality (though not usable as a router). Unless you have a need for your switch to do stuff like OSPF or SSH I wouldn't bother. FWIW the switch I have (and linked above) is Layer-3 so probably a bit more pricey then you wanted.

Sweet, thanks for the explanation. So essentially both layer 2 or 3 is fine, but layer 2 is likely enough and more cost effective?

tangerz:

neon:

What exactly is the difference between the managed and unmanaged switches, if i buy in the same ecosystem vs outside (like old cisco managed switch)? I have a GWN7001 router, and bunch of GWN7660 access points (so just looking for a POE switch in between - managed or unmanaged, grandstream or other brand).

I'd go for a managed switch, something like this: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/switches/gwn7711p.html

Or for something with a little more speed as WiFi moves ahead: https://acquire.co.nz/p/grandstream-networks/grandstream-networks-gwn7721p-layer-2-lite-managed-multi-gig-gwn7721p-9840506

Either of those fit nicely in your ecosystem and having managed switches will allow you better network management options going forward, (VLANs etc)

Edit: Had to replace second link as product was no longer showing.

Hmm the GWN7711 seems good enough for the current requirements, but would have loved to have some more POE ports for immediate future.

GWN7721P looks really nice and future proofed but pricy and maybe more overkill than immediately needed as i dont really intend to upgrade beyond gigabit fibre in the near future.

So, i think its essentially this comes down to a decision between GWN7711 (which is already in the grandstream family) vs used other brand managed POE switch (cheap and more ports, more POE etc).

neon

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#3473654 25-Mar-2026 16:41

sqishy:

I got 2 of these from PBTech. Seems to work well running my Security Cameras.

shrub:

sqishy:

I got 2 of these from PBTech. Seems to work well running my Security Cameras.

These are only 100mps only recommend for IP Cameras not Wi-Fi access points

This is a much better solution https://www.gowifi.co.nz/switches/gwn7700mp.html

Yeah 100Mbit is a bit slow for the access points or anything else for that matter. But yes, good point, maybe good enough for POE cameras eh? I actually have couple of old 100M poe switches that i salvaged ages ago, maybe can use them for POE cameras and other non essential POE devices hmm.

cddt:

Definitely ensure they have capability to do VLAN tagging.

Sweet, yeah ill keep an eye out. Lot of routers do not have VLAN tagging explicitly mentioned, is it safe to assume its not supported or is it often supported?

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