Introduction: Meet the Hikvision DS-3E0528HP-E
The Hikvision DS-3E0528HP-E is a 24-port Gigabit unmanaged Hi‑PoE switch built for CCTV, security and high-power PoE device deployments. Combining a high 370 W PoE budget with four IEEE 802.3bt Hi‑PoE ports (ports 1–4 capable of up to 90 W), two Gigabit RJ45 uplinks and two Gigabit SFP fibre slots, this rack-mountable, metal‑chassis switch is designed to simplify installations while delivering the headroom required by modern cameras, PTZ heads and other power-hungry edge devices. The suggested retail price is around $379.99, positioning the DS-3E0528HP-E as a compelling mid-market option for integrators and facilities teams.
Key features at a glance
- 24× Gigabit PoE ports— 20 standard PoE and 4 Hi‑PoE (ports 1–4)
- Hi‑PoE support— IEEE 802.3bt, up to 90 W per port for high-draw devices
- 370 W total PoE budget— ample power for multi-camera systems
- Flexible uplinks— 2× Gigabit RJ45 + 2× Gigabit SFP for fibre or long-distance links
- Installation-focused features— PoE watchdog (automatic restart for unresponsive cameras), port isolation, and long-range support on specific ports
- Robustness— 6 kV surge protection on PoE ports, metal chassis, rack-mountable form factor
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS-3E0528HP-E offers 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports that supply PoE. The first four ports support Hi‑PoE (802.3bt) and can deliver up to 90 W to each connected device, enabling direct support for PTZ cameras, heaters, LED lighting and other high-draw peripherals without separate power supplies. The remaining ports comply with 802.3at/af PoE standards (up to 30 W per port).
With a 370 W total PoE budget, this switch can simultaneously feed many devices at standard PoE levels and still reserve enough power to run several Hi‑PoE devices. The internal power supply accepts 100–240 VAC and the device lists a maximum power consumption of up to 400 W (idle around 30 W). Built-in protections such as 6 kV surge protection on PoE ports help safeguard connected cameras and other edge devices from power transients.
As an unmanaged Layer‑2, store‑and‑forward switch, the DS-3E0528HP-E delivers wire-speed switching with a switching capacity of 56 Gbps and a forwarding rate of 41.664 Mpps. It includes an 8K MAC address table and 4.1 Mbit packet buffer, which are adequate for dense camera deployments where traffic flows are predictable and central NVRs or recorders manage streams. Port isolation is available to limit lateral traffic between camera ports where needed, improving security on unmonitored networks.
Two features that matter to installers are the PoE watchdog and long-range support. The PoE watchdog can automatically power-cycle an unresponsive camera, saving a site visit and reducing downtime. Ports 21–24 offer extended reach (up to 300 m under suitable conditions), which can be useful when a nearby camera is beyond standard 100 m Ethernet reach but fibre or extenders are not sought. Two Gigabit SFP slots provide a simple path for fibre uplinks between floors or buildings.
The unit measures 440.0 × 44.0 × 220.8 mm and weighs about 2.98 kg, fitting standard 19-inch rack environments with a low 1U profile. Operating temperature is specified from 0 °C to 45 °C with storage extremes significantly wider. The metal chassis and rack-mount brackets make it suitable for server rooms, communications cabinets and secured equipment racks found in retail, education and commercial sites.
Use cases and scenarios where this switch excels
The DS-3E0528HP-E is purpose-built for surveillance and security-centric PoE networks. Typical scenarios where it is a strong choice include:
- Multi-camera CCTV deployments:Installers deploying 16–24 cameras in retail stores, schools, or mid-sized commercial sites can power and connect devices without the complexity of multiple midspan injectors.
- PTZ and high-power devices:Where PTZ cameras, thermal cameras or camera-mounted heaters/illuminators are required, the Hi‑PoE ports remove the need for separate power sources or local power injectors.
- Edge-first designs:Integrators who prefer simple, robust hardware at the edge benefit from an unmanaged switch that requires no configuration yet provides useful hardware-level protections (surge, watchdog).
- Long‑reach camera connections:Small sites that prefer copper-only solutions can take advantage of the long-range mode on ports 21–24 to place cameras beyond 100 m without additional extenders in some cases.
- Remote or distributed sites:Use the SFP slots to link distant cabinets via fibre and maintain high performance and reliability across buildings or campus environments.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
In the unmanaged PoE switch category there are a few common tradeoffs: port count, total PoE budget, Hi‑PoE support and management complexity. The DS-3E0528HP-E stands out by combining a full 24-port count with four true 802.3bt Hi‑PoE ports and a substantial 370 W budget. Here are the key comparison points buyers typically consider:
- Vs. basic 24-port PoE switches:Many entry-level 24-port switches offer 200–250 W PoE budgets and only 802.3at/af support. Those switches are fine for cameras but struggle when several PTZs or heaters are needed. The Hikvision model removes that limitation with four 90 W ports and more overall PoE capacity.
- Vs. fully managed switches:Managed switches provide VLANs, QoS, SNMP and advanced diagnostics, which large enterprise networks require. The DS-3E0528HP-E is unmanaged, focusing on plug-and-play simplicity — an advantage for fast deployments or installers who do not need L2/L3 management features.
- Vs. dedicated Hi‑PoE switches:Some vendors offer higher counts of 802.3bt ports but at a higher price and often with heavier power supplies. The Hikvision switch balances cost and capability, giving Hi‑PoE where most sites need it (four ports) while keeping costs down for the remaining ports.
Customer feedback and installer impressions
There are relatively few widely publicised consumer reviews for B2B hardware like this, but installer feedback and field reports typically focus on a few practical factors. Reported positives include the convenience of Hi‑PoE on dedicated ports, the value of the PoE watchdog to reduce field trips, and the flexibility of mixed RJ45 and SFP uplinks. Integrators often note the convenience of a single 1U, rack-mountable device that can power a full small-to-medium camera estate.
Constructive notes from the field commonly relate to the unmanaged nature of the switch — sites that later require segmentation, traffic shaping or advanced monitoring may opt to replace or supplement an unmanaged unit with managed switches. Also, when full 802.3bt support across every port is required (for very large numbers of high-draw devices), a larger or fully 802.3bt-capable switch may be more appropriate.
Conclusion: Why choose the DS-3E0528HP-E?
The Hikvision DS-3E0528HP-E is a practical, installer-friendly switch for security and PoE-centric environments. Its combination of 24 Gigabit PoE ports, four high-power Hi‑PoE ports, a generous 370 W budget, and protective features such as PoE watchdog and 6 kV surge protection makes it a versatile choice for small to medium CCTV systems. If you need a no-fuss, high-power PoE solution that can handle PTZs and other power-hungry devices without adding complexity, this switch strikes a strong balance between capability and cost.
For projects that require extensive network management, per-port VLANs, or detailed telemetry, a managed alternative should be considered. But for many real-world surveillance installs — retail sites, schools, SME campuses and similar environments — the DS-3E0528HP-E offers the power, resilience and simplicity installers appreciate.
Before purchase, confirm site power availability, expected simultaneous PoE draw and any environmental requirements. Also consult the official datasheet and local electrical regulations during planning and installation to ensure safe, compliant deployments.
