Irvine-based Infinite Electronics’ L-com brand has introduced a new line of electrical surge protectors for high-speed computer networks.
“Surge protection is needed more than ever. The trend for electronics is that they’re actually becoming more sensitive,” Product Line Manager Dan Rebeck told the Business Journal.
The new line of RJ45 protectors provides a shield against transient electrical surges caused by lightning, as well as those that are generated from within buildings themselves.
An unshielded surge can cause major damage to a computer network.
Surge protection is “very much a growth industry,” Rebeck said. “Globally, the surge protection market is going to be pretty close to hitting $4 billion within the next couple of years.”
Rebeck said the company’s main competitors include Citel Inc. and Ditek Corp., both based in Florida.
Ethernet Applications
The new protectors support three different levels of Power-over-Ethernet applications depending on how much direct current power needs to pass through a twisted pair cable.
They are designed to protect against surges that speed by in the range of a few microseconds—with a microsecond being one-millionth of a second.
On the technical side, the devices are compatible with the “gigabit Ethernet,” the latest version of the world’s most pervasive networking technology, as well as with the series of professionally set standards for Power-over-Ethernet up to the latest 802.3bt standard known as PoE++.
L-com’s protectors cost $69 each for the top-of-the-line model designed for 100 watts of electrical power and down to $57 for a device that lets 15 watts pass through a cable.
L-com, a manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, offers a wide range of solutions and customer service for the electronics and data communications industries. The company’s product portfolio includes cable assemblies, connectors, adapters, antennas and enclosures in addition to surge protectors.
