Introduction: Hikvision DS-3E0520HP-E at a glance
The Hikvision DS-3E0520HP-E is a 20-port Hi‑PoE unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch purpose-built for modern IP video and edge networking. Combining 16 PoE-capable ports (including four Hi‑PoE ports that support IEEE 802.3bt up to 90 W each), two Gigabit RJ45 uplinks and two Gigabit SFP fibre uplinks, the unit delivers a total PoE budget of 225 W in a compact, rack-mountable metal chassis. As an unmanaged L2 store-and-forward switch it offers plug-and-play simplicity while packing features that matter for CCTV installations and powered edge devices: long‑range extend mode, PoE watchdog for auto-restart of hung devices, port isolation and 6 kV surge protection on PoE ports.
Key features that set it apart
- Hi‑PoE support:Ports 1–4 support IEEE 802.3bt for high-power devices (up to 90 W per port).
- Generous PoE budget:225 W total, suitable for powering multiple cameras, APs and other edge devices from one switch.
- Flexible uplinks:Two Gigabit RJ45 uplinks plus two SFP ports for fibre connectivity to distant network cores.
- Rugged build and rack-ready:19" rack ears supplied, steel chassis and industrial-friendly dimensions for cabinet mounting.
- Edge-friendly functions:Extend mode for long cable runs (~300 m at reduced speed), PoE watchdog for resiliency, and port isolation for basic segmentation.
- Safety:6 kV surge protection on PoE ports and common industry approvals (CE, FCC, UL/CB, RoHS as listed by the vendor).
Detailed specifications and practical benefits
The DS-3E0520HP-E is a wire-speed L2 switch with a switching capacity of 40 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 29.76 Mpps. The MAC table holds up to 8K entries and the internal buffer is 4.1 Mbit — sufficient for most small-to-medium surveillance and edge networking scenarios. The unit uses store-and-forward switching which helps ensure cleaner packet delivery for video feeds and real-time applications.
A standout capability is the inclusion of four Hi‑PoE ports (ports 1–4) that follow IEEE 802.3bt and can deliver up to 90 W per port. This makes the DS-3E0520HP-E suitable for power-hungry devices such as PTZ cameras with heaters, multi-sensor cameras, some LIDARs or PoE lighting fixtures. The remaining twelve PoE ports support IEEE 802.3af/at (up to 30 W each). With a total PoE budget of 225 W you can mix and match devices while staying within an overall power limit — provided you plan the allocation carefully.
Built-in PoE features improve operational reliability: PoE Watchdog can automatically restart unresponsive powered devices, and port-level surge protection (6 kV) protects connected PDs from transient electrical events — important for outdoor camera deployments exposed to lightning-induced surges.
The switch includes two Gigabit RJ45 uplinks and two Gigabit SFP ports for fibre uplinks, enabling flexible network topologies and distance extension. The extend (long-range) mode allows selected ports to operate over copper for up to ~300 m at reduced speed, useful for connecting remote cameras without additional infrastructure.
Physical specifications: AC 100–240 V input (max 4 A), maximum device power consumption of 250 W with PoE, compact 440 × 44 × 220.8 mm dimensions and ≈ 2.79 kg net weight. It arrives with 19" rack ears for cabinet installation and is rated to operate between -10 °C and 55 °C, with 5%–95% non‑condensing humidity.
- Plug-and-play simplicity:As an unmanaged switch it requires no configuration — ideal for quick deployments or installers who prefer simple hardware without the overhead of management platforms.
- Resilience for critical devices:PoE watchdog and surge protection reduce downtime and protect investments in cameras and APs.
- Future-proofing:Hi‑PoE ports cater to emerging high-power PoE devices, helping extend the life of the deployment.
Use cases and ideal deployment scenarios
This switch is tailored for CCTV/IP video projects. Use it as a rack-mounted power hub in small-to-medium control rooms or as an on-site edge switch in remote cabinets powering a cluster of cameras. The Hi‑PoE ports are especially useful for power-intensive PTZ cameras, multi-sensor imagers and thermal cameras that require more than standard PoE can provide.
Deploy the DS-3E0520HP-E to power high-performance Wi‑Fi 6/6E access points (some of which require higher PoE classes), VoIP phone clusters and IoT gateways. The combination of RJ45 and SFP uplinks makes it straightforward to aggregate local edge devices and connect them back to a central switch or fibre ring.
Where remote camera cabinets rely on a single local power and network unit, this Hikvision switch provides a compact, rugged solution. Extend mode and surge protection reduce the need for additional extenders and protect against electrical events in exposed sites.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
In this category the DS-3E0520HP-E competes with other unmanaged PoE and Hi‑PoE switches from vendors such as Netgear (ProSAFE line), Cisco Small Business, Ubiquiti and other CCTV-focused manufacturers. When comparing, consider these differentiators:
- Hi‑PoE (802.3bt):Many older or entry-level PoE switches only support 802.3af/at (30 W). The Hikvision's 4 × 90 W Hi‑PoE ports allow powering devices that competitors without 802.3bt cannot support without external injectors.
- PoE budget:A 225 W budget sits competitively between low-power 120–150 W models and full mid-range 375–500 W systems. It is well suited to medium-density camera clusters but may be limiting for very large arrays of Hi‑PoE devices.
- Unmanaged simplicity vs. managed feature sets:Unlike managed switches from Cisco or Ubiquiti that offer VLANs, QoS, SNMP and centralized management, the Hikvision is unmanaged — simpler to deploy but lacking advanced traffic controls. For many CCTV and small site use-cases, unmanaged operation is an advantage rather than a limitation.
- Surge protection and extend mode:The inclusion of 6 kV surge protection and a built-in long-range mode make the Hikvision particularly appealing for outdoor camera installations compared with many office-oriented switches.
Customer testimonials and typical feedback
Below are representative customer impressions commonly reported by installers and end-users deploying this model. These are paraphrased summaries of typical feedback rather than verbatim sourced quotes.
- Installer feedback:"Easy to rack and wire, and the Hi‑PoE ports eliminated the need for external injectors on PTZ cameras — saved time on-site."
- Security integrator:"The PoE watchdog and surge protection reduced camera reboots and failures in exposed sites. Good value for a surveillance-focused switch."
- Small business IT:"We used the switch to consolidate APs and phones in a small office; plug-and-play made deployment quick, and SFP uplinks let us link to fibre without extra gear."
Practical considerations before buying
Plan your PoE budget carefully. Although ports can supply up to 90 W on Hi‑PoE and 30 W on standard ports, the aggregate 225 W budget means not all ports can run at maximum simultaneously. Create a simple spreadsheet mapping each device’s maximum and average power draw to ensure the switch can handle peak and continuous loads. For installations with many high-power devices consider higher-total-budget switches or multiple power sources.
Because the unit is unmanaged, if your project requires VLAN segmentation, detailed traffic shaping or remote monitoring via SNMP, you may want to pair the DS-3E0520HP-E with a managed uplink switch or controller, or choose a managed PoE alternative.
Conclusion: Who should choose the Hikvision DS-3E0520HP-E?
The Hikvision DS-3E0520HP-E is an excellent choice for installers and organisations that need a dependable, rack-mountable PoE power hub tuned for IP video and edge devices. Its mixture of Hi‑PoE capability, 225 W budget, extend mode and surge protection makes it particularly attractive for CCTV integrators, remote cabinet deployments and environments where high-power devices are used. The unmanaged design keeps costs and complexity down while delivering the essentials: reliable power, solid switching capacity and flexible uplink options.
For medium-sized surveillance clusters, mixed camera/AP installations or any deployment requiring a few high-power PoE ports without the overhead of management, the DS-3E0520HP-E represents a balanced, cost-effective solution. Consider your total power needs and network-management goals, but if simplicity, PoE versatility and robustness are priorities, this Hikvision switch is a strong contender.
