Save 75% of Your Panel Space With This 5-Port Ethernet Switch

Save 75% of Your Panel Space With This 5-Port Ethernet Switch (No Software Required)

How the Mencom LP1-E45UM-5 lets you access in-cabinet Ethernet devices without opening the door or giving up valuable space along your DIN-rail

⚠️
Arc Flash Risk
Opening a live panel door is a leading cause of electrical injury
📏
75% Lower
Profile vs. standard bulkhead housing PIC
🛡️
IP65 Rated
Full dust and water-jet protection

🔌 What the LP1-E45UM-5 Actually Does

The Mencom LP1-E45UM-5 is a 5-port unmanaged Ethernet switch built directly into a low-profile panel interface connector (PIC) housing. Instead of mounting inside your cabinet along the DIN-rail, it mounts to the outside of the panel wall, freeing up rail space and giving you outside access to your network.

  • 1 RJ45 port on the front (outside the cabinet)
  • 4 RJ45 ports on the back (inside the cabinet)
  • 10/100BaseTX speed is sufficient for most industrial control traffic
  • Unmanaged = zero configuration, true plug-and-play

✅ Why Systems Use It

🟢 Safety Win

No need to open the cabinet door to check or connect a device. It eliminates Arc Flash exposure during live diagnostics.

🟢 Space Win

Moves the switch off the DIN-rail entirely, allowing you to reclaim that space for other components.

🟢 Reliability Win

Redundant power inputs mean a second port can take over if one fails.

🟢 Uptime Win

Built-in broadcast storm protection stops excess traffic from taking down your network.

🛠️ How to Install It (4 Steps)

  1. Cut the panel opening per the LP1 housing template (same footprint as Mencom's standard low-profile PICs).
  2. Mount the housing to the outside wall of your enclosure and secure the gasket for the IP65 seal.
  3. Wire the 4 internal ports to your in-cabinet devices (PLCs, HMIs, drives, etc.). No configuration needed!
  4. Connect externally to the single front-facing port whenever you need to diagnose or reprogram, without needing to open the door.

📋 Quick Reference: Specs at a Glance

Feature Spec
Ports 5x RJ45, 10/100BaseTX (1 front / 4 rear)
Switch type Unmanaged
Ingress protection IP65 (dust-tight, water-jet protected)
Housing profile 75% lower than standard bulkhead PIC
Door Clear, slide-lock (opens with flathead screwdriver)
Power Redundant inputs
Protection features Broadcast storm protection, EMC compliant

🚨 Troubleshooting Quick-Fixes

No link light on a port? Check the RJ45 seating first. A partially seated connector is the #1 cause of "dead port" calls. Reseat before replacing hardware.

Intermittent dropouts? Verify both power inputs are live. If only one supply is connected, you've lost your redundancy. A voltage dip on that single line can look like a switch fault.

Door won't seal / IP65 rating in doubt? Inspect the gasket for pinching or debris before assuming switch failure. A compromised seal is an enclosure issue, not an electronics issue.

Network flooding/slowdowns? The built-in storm protection should isolate this automatically. Persistent flooding across all ports points to a device upstream, not the switch itself.

Ready to reclaim your panel space?

Shop the full lineup of panel interface connectors and industrial network devices:

View the LP1-E45UM-5 Industrial Ethernet Switches Low Profile Panel Interface Connectors All Panel Interface Connectors