Did I just fry a new FortiAP 223E access point

[Dylan_von_Sommaruga]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Hi everyone.

We’re upgrading some FortiAP 221C access points with FortiAP 223E access points. Straight swap I thought and plugged the 223E into the same PoE injector which was powering the 221C, a Ubiquiti branded PoE-AF injector - UniFi PoE Adapter (15W) - Tech Specs (ui.com). The document that came with the 223E AP says to use a PoE AF injector.

This worked fine on my test bench. The 223E powered up and I was able to add it to the controller, then took it to its permanent location where is failed to power up at all. Now it won’t power up on my test bench either.

I contacted my reseller who said I needed to use the GPI-130 PoE injector which is a PoE AT specification? I purchased one which has worked with a second 223E on the same cable that the first one failed on using the AF injector but I can’t understand why?

[ozkanaltas · Accepted solution]

Hello @Dylan_von_Sommaruga ,

Maybe the problem is related to distance. If your POE injector cannot deliver enough power, the FortiAP will not work.

When I reviewed the datasheet, I saw that FortiAP 223E can work with both GPI-115 and GPI-130. My suggestion is if the distance is long, I prefer GPI-130. Because as the distance gets longer the voltage will decrease according to cable quality. 

[Dylan_von_Sommaruga]

Thanks ozkanaltas,

I had the same thought that low voltage might have caused the issue. The cable run wasn't long at all (about 5 meters) however the PoE injector was an off brand Ubiquiti-AF (and a passive injector) so agree that this is the most likely cause.

Thank you