This topic was migrated from the BotBlox ticketing system after being summarized and anonymized.
Question
We’re comparing SwitchBlox Rugged and SwitchBlox Industrial for an application that requires PoE injection.
SwitchBlox Rugged specifies an operating temperature range of −50°C to +110°C, but its Molex PicoClasp connectors have a published range of −40°C to +105°C. How is the complete board’s operating range validated?
We also understand that PoE injection was removed from SwitchBlox Rugged. Can we still order Revision D with PoE injection, and does SwitchBlox Industrial retain this feature? What other differences should guide our choice?
Answer
The main reasons to choose SwitchBlox Rugged are its wider operating temperature range and its expansion options. SwitchBlox Industrial is smaller, less expensive, includes PoE injection circuitry and provides a command-line interface for port management.
If you do not need Rugged’s temperature range or expansion capabilities, and your application can accommodate Industrial’s +85°C upper operating temperature limit, SwitchBlox Industrial is generally the better fit.
Why does SwitchBlox Rugged’s temperature range exceed the connector’s published rating?
Molex specifies the PicoClasp connectors for −40°C to +105°C, while BotBlox specifies SwitchBlox Rugged as a complete product for −50°C to +110°C.
The complete-product rating is based on BotBlox’s own validation testing. We tested the PicoClasp connectors as installed on SwitchBlox Rugged beyond Molex’s published range and did not observe issues at either −50°C or +110°C.
We also have thousands of hours of flight and field data from SwitchBlox Rugged operating across these temperature extremes, supporting the specified operating range.
This validation applies to the connectors as used in SwitchBlox Rugged. It does not change Molex’s published rating for the connector itself.
Can I order an older SwitchBlox Rugged revision with PoE injection?
As of September 2026, we cannot supply the older Revision D board requested for its PoE injection functionality.
It is possible to populate the components needed for PoE injection onto the newer board yourself. Contact BotBlox for the details applicable to your board revision before proceeding.
A maximum per-port PoE power figure was not established in this support discussion, so that would need to be confirmed separately for the intended configuration.
Does SwitchBlox Industrial still include PoE injection?
Yes. SwitchBlox Industrial includes PoE injection circuitry.
For an application that requires PoE injection, this is a practical reason to choose Industrial rather than modifying a SwitchBlox Rugged board.
What are the main differences between the two boards?
| Consideration | SwitchBlox Industrial | SwitchBlox Rugged |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller | Larger than Industrial |
| Cost | Lower | Higher than Industrial |
| PoE injection | Circuitry included | Removed from the newer revision discussed here; components can be populated separately |
| Port management | Command-line interface available | Not addressed in this comparison |
| Operating temperature | Upper limit of +85°C | −50°C to +110°C |
| Expansion options highlighted here | Not addressed in this comparison | Can pair with another SwitchBlox Rugged to make a 10-port switch, or with Rugged SOM to create a router |
When should I choose SwitchBlox Rugged?
Choose SwitchBlox Rugged when your application needs its −50°C to +110°C operating range, or when you intend to use one of its expansion configurations:
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Pairing two SwitchBlox Rugged boards to make a 10-port switch.
-
Pairing SwitchBlox Rugged with Rugged SOM to create a router.
If those capabilities are not required, SwitchBlox Industrial offers a smaller, lower-cost option with PoE injection and command-line port management, provided its operating temperature limits suit your application.