Temperature and humidity sensor with an Ethernet RJ45 connector

I am in need of a temperature and humidity sensor to monitor a network switch box that is mounted outside.
I have a NEMA 4 weather-rated enclosure mounted on the side of a building that contains a network switch, I’d like to monitor the temp. and humidity inside the enclosure, but since it is a sealed, bonded metal box the sensor has to be hardwired since wireless sensors would not get a signal. The switch has a temperature sensor, but it monitors the CPU temp., I’d like to know the temp. and humidity of the enclosure, and there’s no way for that sensor to trigger a warning if it reaches a preset level. A sensor that is connected via Ethernet (even better if it is PoE) would be ideal since I could plug it into the switch.
I’ve seen products from companies like NTI and InfraSensing, but their solutions cost several hundred dollars, and I’d likely be locked inside their ecosystem. I just don’t understand how wireless sensors are so cheap and plentiful, but I’m having trouble finding a simple Ethernet sensor that doesn’t cost a bunch.
Thanks.

still not really cheap, but several goes down to two :wink:
https://www.hw-group.com/device/ste2-lite

That’s similar to the ones that I’ve seen, too many features and too much money. If I had the knowledge I guess I could build something with a Rasberry Pi, but I don’t have the time to learn all I’d need for for just one project. A quick search of Amazon shows dozens of wireless solutions under $20.00, if only I could use one of those.

Maybe an ESP32 with POE? As long as the chipset matches those listed it should work with ESPHome. Even if it doesn’t you could just code up a MQTT sensor platform using Arduino.

2 Likes

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Temperature-Humidity-Sensor-Meter-Controller-Ethernet_62236529012.html

1 Like