As Steve Pennington explained in his conversation with Dave Sinise from AMG Systems, there is often “that one or two devices” on a project that create the real challenge. The cable path may be blocked. The distance may exceed standard Ethernet limits. Or the project may involve replacing an older analog device with a new IP-based device while the existing cable is still in place.
That is where AMG’s AMG160 Extend-Net series can solve a very specific but common field problem.
For installers, AMG160 Extend-Net™ series can mean fewer surprises and less labor.
For engineers, AMG160 Extend-Net™ series can mean more design flexibility.
For end users, AMG160 Extend-Net™ series can mean a lower-cost path to better technology.
Instead of forcing a customer to absorb the cost, disruption, and schedule impact of pulling new cable, the AMG160 Extend-Net™ series allows system installers and engineers to extend Ethernet over existing cable types. Depending on the application, that may include coax, 2-wire twisted pair, or UTP cable such as Cat5 or Cat6.
Standard Ethernet over copper has a practical distance limitation of about 328 feet. In real-world security and infrastructure projects, that can be a major obstacle.
A camera on a pole, an intercom at a remote entrance, a device in a parking area, or an edge switch in a remote cabinet may sit well beyond that standard distance. In other cases, the device may be close enough in a straight line, but the actual cable pathway makes a new cable pull expensive or nearly impossible.
AMG160 Extend-Net™ devices are designed to address that problem by extending Ethernet much farther over existing infrastructure. They support distances up to 550 meters, or approximately 1,800 feet, at 100Mb, and up to 1,000 meters, or approximately 3,280 feet, at 10Mb, depending on cable type, cable quality, PoE load, voltage level, and other installation factors.
For many edge devices, that is the difference between redesigning a project and finishing the installation with the cable that is already there.
One of the most important benefits of the AMG160 Extend-Net™ series is the ability to reuse existing cable.
In retrofit projects, this can be especially valuable. A facility may already have coax installed from a legacy analog camera. Another location may have older 2-wire twisted pair or telephone-style cable in place. In other applications, a Cat5 or Cat6 cable may already reach the general device area but still exceed the normal Ethernet distance limitation.
Instead of treating that existing cable as obsolete, the AMG160 series gives installers a way to turn it into useful network infrastructure.
That can reduce trenching, conduit work, ceiling work, road closures, lift rentals, labor hours, and customer disruption. For end users, it can also help move an upgrade project forward when the cost of new cable would otherwise delay the work.
The AMG160 Extend-Net™ series includes three important models that match common field conditions.
The AMG160-1F-1EC is designed for Ethernet extension over coax cable. This is a strong fit for analog camera replacement projects where coax is already installed and the customer wants to move to IP devices without replacing the entire cable path.
The AMG160-1F-1EC supports 10/100Mb Ethernet over coax and provides pass-through PoE support up to 30W. It uses a BNC Extend-Net port with surge protection and is suitable for standard coax cable types such as RG59 and RG11.
This makes it especially useful when a customer wants to upgrade from analog video to IP video but does not want to pay for a complete infrastructure replacement.
The AMG160-1F-1ET is designed for Ethernet extension over 2-wire twisted pair cable. This is helpful where older twisted pair infrastructure already exists in a ceiling, conduit, underground pathway, or building space.
The 1ET model supports 10/100Mb Ethernet over 2-wire twisted pair and supports pass-through PoE up to 30W. Its Extend-Net connection uses a 2-pin removable terminal block with surge protection.
This option can be valuable for intercoms, cameras, access-related devices, and other IP edge devices where older low-voltage cable is already available.
The AMG160-1F-1EU is designed for Ethernet extension over UTP cable such as Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat7. This model supports 10/100Mb Ethernet and pass-through PoE levels including 15W, 30W, 60W, and 90W.
This higher-power capability is especially important for modern edge devices that need more than basic PoE. As Dave noted in the interview, many current PTZ cameras may not require 90W under normal conditions, but options such as IR illumination can increase power demand.
For cameras on poles, roadside devices, perimeter locations, or other remote edge applications, the AMG160-1F-1EU can help deliver both Ethernet and higher PoE levels over longer copper runs.
Although many examples focus on video surveillance, the AMG160 Extend-Net™ series is not limited to cameras.
In the interview, Steve described the applicable devices as including cameras, intercoms, IoT devices, small switches, and small hubs where multiple inputs may need to become part of the network.
That makes these extenders useful for a broad range of edge connectivity challenges, including security cameras, video intercoms, emergency communication devices, access control edge devices, small network switches, roadside and transportation devices, pole-mounted equipment, remote IoT devices, and industrial or utility infrastructure.
The common thread is simple: the device needs Ethernet, the location is difficult, and the existing cable may still be useful.
A product like this has to work where installers actually need it. That often means ceilings, closets, camera poles, roadside cabinets, outdoor enclosures, rail corridors, parking areas, and other uncontrolled environments.
The AMG160 data sheets list an operating temperature range of -40°C to +75°C, or -40°F to +167°F. The units use anodized aluminum housings, passive cooling, and are rated IP40. The data sheets also list integrated surge protection on the Extend-Net port.
That matters because these devices may be installed in hot closets, ceiling spaces, roadside cabinets, or outdoor equipment enclosures where temperature control is limited. In transportation, rail, and roadway environments, those details can make a major difference.
The AMG160 devices are compact and designed for several mounting approaches.
Each unit can be used as a standalone device, DIN rail mounted, or wall mounted using included accessories. In the interview, Dave also mentioned options such as magnet mounting and wall mounting, helping installers fit the device into the available space.
For larger projects where several extenders return to one location, AMG also offers 1U rack-mount options that can hold up to 12 AMG160-1F units. This gives engineers and installers a cleaner way to organize multiple extender links at the head end.
That flexibility is important. One project may only need a single pair of extenders to solve one difficult device location. Another may need several channels brought neatly back to a rack.
Another important installation advantage is PoE pass-through.
In many cases, installers do not want to find local power at the remote end. The AMG160 units can work with a PoE switch or PoE injector at the head end, allowing power to be passed through to the remote device depending on the model, distance, cable, and PoE load.
The 1EC coax and 1ET 2-wire models support for 15W and 30W PoE pass-through. The 1EU UTP model supports 15W, 30W, 60W, and 90W PoE pass-through.
This can simplify installation and reduce the need for electricians, local outlets, or new power infrastructure at the edge.
The AMG160 Extend-Net™ series is best understood as a practical modernization tool.
When a facility wants to upgrade from analog to IP, extend a network beyond standard copper limits, add a remote intercom, or power a device in a difficult location, the cable problem can quickly become the cost problem.
AMG160 Extend-Net™ devices help solve that problem by allowing project teams to reuse what is already there whenever the existing cable is suitable.
For installers, that can mean fewer surprises and less labor.
For engineers, it can mean more design flexibility.
For end users, it can mean a lower-cost path to better technology.
In many projects, the AMG160 series may not be the largest part of the system. But it can be the part that makes the system possible.
AMG160 Extend-Net™ Ethernet extenders help installers connect IP edge devices when standard Ethernet distance limits are exceeded or when existing cable needs to be reused. They can extend Ethernet over coax, 2-wire twisted pair, or UTP cable, helping reduce the need for new cable pulls during upgrades.
Depending on the model, cable type, cable quality, PoE load, and installation conditions, AMG160 Extend-Net devices can support distances up to 550 meters, or about 1,800 feet, at 100Mb and up to 1,000 meters, or about 3,280 feet, at 10Mb. Actual distance depends on field conditions.
Yes. The AMG160-1F-1EC is designed to extend Ethernet over coax cable, making it useful for analog-to-IP camera upgrades where existing coax is already installed. It supports 10/100Mb Ethernet and up to 30W PoE pass-through over coax.
The AMG160-1F-1EU, designed for UTP cable, supports 15W, 30W, 60W, and 90W PoE pass-through. This makes it useful for higher-power devices such as PTZ cameras or cameras with IR illumination, depending on distance and installation conditions.
Yes. The AMG160 series is designed for industrial environments, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +75°C, passive cooling, anodized aluminum housing, and integrated surge protection on the Extend-Net port.
An Ethernet extender is a device that allows Ethernet communication to travel beyond the normal copper Ethernet distance limit. In retrofit projects, it can also allow Ethernet to run over existing cable types such as coax, 2-wire twisted pair, or UTP.
An installer would use an AMG160 Extend-Net™ device when a camera, intercom, or edge device is too far away for standard Ethernet, or when existing cable can be reused instead of pulling new cable.
The AMG160-1F-1EC is the coax version. It is well suited for analog camera replacement projects where coax is already installed and the customer wants to upgrade to IP.
The AMG160-1F-1ET is designed for 2-wire twisted pair cable. It is useful when older twisted pair cable is already in place and can be repurposed for Ethernet extension.
The AMG160-1F-1EU is designed for UTP cable, including Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7. It is also the model that supports higher PoE levels up to 90W pass-through.
Yes. The AMG160 series supports PoE pass-through. The coax and 2-wire models support up to 30W PoE pass-through, while the UTP model supports 15W, 30W, 60W, and 90W PoE pass-through, depending on application conditions.
Not always. The devices can support PoE pass-through when used with a PoE-enabled edge device and appropriate power source. A 24-56VDC local power input is also available for applications where local power is available or needed.
Yes. AMG offers 1U rack-mount options for up to 12 AMG160-1F units, which helps keep multi-device head-end installations organized.
No. They can be used for cameras, intercoms, IoT devices, small switches, and other Ethernet edge devices where distance or existing cable infrastructure creates a challenge.
Engineers should confirm cable type, cable condition, distance, PoE load, required bandwidth, voltage source, environmental conditions, and mounting location. AMG notes that actual transmission distance can be affected by cable quality, connectors, PoE load, voltage level, and environmental conditions.