Need To Know About PoE, PoE+

Everything You Need To Know About PoE, PoE+, and PoE++.

Everything You Need To Know About PoE, PoE+, and PoE++. - Table of contents:

PoE+, or Power over Ethernet Plus, is an enhanced mode of power delivery which allows for greater output voltage and power than traditional PoE (Power-over-Ethernet). The higher amount of power has enabled new types of devices to be powered over the same Ethernet cable that carries data. These include IP phones, wireless access points, and cameras – all with their particular power requirements. In addition to reducing wiring costs, PoE+ also simplifies device management for large networks.

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When looking to power devices using the same cables that provide data connections, PoE is what you will most likely use.

Benefits of PoE

There are many advantages of power over Ethernet. For example, PoE allows professionals to install remote or outside equipment without connecting to AC power to deliver power to several locations without installing additional electrical infrastructure or several power outlets.

PoE is also highly cost-effective as it allows you to use one cable for both power and data transmission, so paying to purchase and run multiple cables isn’t necessary. In addition, PoE makes it easier to expand and install a network and is also highly efficient and responsive.

In terms of industrial environments, specifically, PoE facilitates the transfer and distribution of large amounts of data and power to key locations. It also enables the effective monitoring of automated equipment and employee behavior through sensors and IP cameras. As a result, you can better document safety compliance, better ensure accuracy, improve inventory tracking, and monitor temperature changes to ensure optimal safety and efficiency in an application. Due to these benefits, PoE applications can power a rapidly increasing amount of IoT-connected devices which now exceeds eight billion devices.

Need To Know About PoE, PoE+

However, there isn’t a one size fits all PoE solution for every device. There are many different types of PoE switches to suit the unique requirements of different applications. Understanding which type of PoE networking switch best suits your application is essential to ensure you choose the right type to satisfy the vital power requirements of your network.

Four types of PoE

Currently, there are four different PoE types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. We can categorize such types based on a variety of features, such as the standard they use, their port power, and the devices one can use them for now, you will find detailed descriptions of the various nuances of each power over Ethernet type.

PoE Type 1

* Name: PoE, 2-pair PoE
* Standard: IEEE 802.3af
* Maximum port power: 15.4W

Firstly PoE was originally designed to power low-power devices such as IP telephones. In 2003, IEEE 802.3af was standardized to use two of the four twisted pairs of wires in standard (at the time) Cat3 Ethernet wire runs. IEEE 802.3af provides up to 12.95W to powered devices at 37V-57V. There is some loss, so a PoE switch port is generally rated at 15.4W and between 44V-57V. Examples of devices that PoE Type 1 can support include static surveillance cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones.

PoE Type 2

* Name: PoE+
* Standard: IEEE 802.3at
* Maximum port power: 30W

Like PoE Type 1, PoE Type 2 also utilizes 2-pair PoE. Its basis is the PoE+ or IEEE 802.3at Ethernet standard, which the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers released in 2009. As such, it delivers up to 30W of power at the port level over an Ethernet twisted pair cable and up to 25.5W of power to each device. It connects higher-powered devices to a network such as PTZ cameras, PoE android tablet, RFID readers, video IP phones, and alarm systems.

Because it is backward compatible, however, it can support the types of devices typically supported by PoE Type 1 as well as devices supported by PoE Type 2. It supports Cat 5 cables or better.

Need To Know About PoE, PoE+

PoE Type 3

Quick facts:

– Name: 4-pair PoE, 4P PoE, PoE++, UPOE
– Standard: IEEE 802.3bt
– Maximum port power: 60W

Also known as 4-pair PoE, 4PPoE, PoE++, or UPoE, Type 3 PoE uses all four pairs in a twisted-pair copper cable to deliver power at the PD—unlike Type 1 and 2 which only use two pairs. This higher level of PoE adheres to the IEEE 802.3bt standard which came out in 2011.

As such, it provides up to 60W of power to each PoE port and up to 51W of power to each device. Examples of devices that these higher levels of power support include multi-radio wireless access points, PTZ cameras, building management devices, and video conferencing equipment. It supports Cat5 cables or better.

Need To Know About PoE, PoE+

PoE Type 4

Quick facts:

– Name: Higher-Power PoE
– Standard: IEEE 802.3bt
– Maximum port power: 100W

Commonly known as Higher-Power PoE, Type 4 PoE offers the highest power capabilities of all PoE types currently in existence. This PoE type helps satisfy the growing power requirements of network devices and IoT. Conforming to the newest IEEE 802.3bt standard, Type 4 PoE delivers 90W of power from the PSE and up to 70W of input power at the PD to each device.

However, it has the potential to supply a maximum of 100W of power per port if necessary. Due to the high quantities of power that it produces, Type 4 PoE can support extremely power-hungry devices such as laptops and flat screens. Supported cables include Cat5 cables or better.

PoE Reference Chart

Along with the descriptions above, we realized that it would be good for our readers to have an easy handy chart to refer to, so here it is with all the basics.

PoE PoE+ PoE++ PoE++
IEEE Standard IEEE 802.3af IEEE 802.3at IEEE 802.3bt IEEE 802.3bt
PoE Type Designation Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Switch Port Power
Max Port Power 15.4W 30W 60W 100W
Port Voltage Range 44-57V 50-57V 50-57V 52-57V
Cables
Supported cables Cat3/Cat5 (or better) Cat5 (or better) Cat5 (or better) Cat5 (or better)
Twisted Pairs Used 2-pair 2-pair 2-pair or 4-pair 4-pair
Powered Device Power
Max Power to Device 12.95W 25.5W 51W 71W
Voltage Range to Device 37-57W 42.5-57V 42.5-57V 41.1-57V
In terms of PoE switches, the above are the basic numbers. There is a lot more to it than just per-port numbers. As an example, PoE switches often oversubscribe the total PoE capacity of a switch with more ports. This makes sense since many devices use less than maximum power. As a result, just because you have a switch with all PoE++ Type 4 ports does not mean you can use all of them at maximum load 24×7.
Need To Know About PoE, PoE+
PoE+, or Power over Ethernet, is an increasingly popular technology that allows devices to be plugged into ethernet ports and receive power as well as a data connection. It’s become a multi-billion dollar industry, with much of the focus being on switches that include features such as remote port power cycling, per-port monitoring and fault detection capabilities. As more companies make use of PoE+, its development is expected to progress even further in terms of increased security, reliability and convenience.

Unmarked pictures come from Internet, and source: … …

PoE+ switches are backward compatible with PoE switches, which deliver more power. The transition from 802.3af to 802.3at is relatively simple.
PoE does not require any special wiring, it uses the same ethernet cables – Cat 5e, Cat 6, etc – and the “RJ45” connectors that are used for regular local area networks. Standard Ethernet cables – Cat 5e (or better) consists of four twisted pairs of cable, and PoE sends power over these pairs to devices.
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