Demystifying Power over Ethernet (PoE) Technology

Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that enables the simultaneous transmission of data and electrical power via standard Ethernet cabling. This facilitates the efficient and cost-effective powering of devices in remote or inaccessible locations, eliminating the requirement for additional AC power infrastructure. From powering remote devices to simplifying installations, PoE revolutionises network infrastructure. It eliminates the need for specialised wiring and costly new equipment, introducing instead intelligent power management and cost-effective solutions.

What does PoE actually entail?

At its core, PoE is an innovative standard that enables the simultaneous transmission of data and electrical power through Ethernet cabling to low-wattage devices. These devices include IP surveillance cameras, wireless access points, VoIP telephones, and numerous other network peripherals. The most compelling advantage of PoE lies in its ability to power devices in remote, challenging-to-access, or non-powered locations, eliminating the substantial costs and logistical complexities associated with installing new AC power lines.

The beauty of PoE implementation lies in its simplicity. Installing Ethernet cables is significantly more straightforward and cost-effective than laying electrical wiring, requiring less specialised expertise and fewer regulatory considerations. Now, let's address and debunk the most prevalent myths surrounding PoE technology.

Myth number one: Power over Ethernet requires special wiring.

This is a common misconception that needs clarification. If you're utilising CATX cable infrastructure, there's absolutely no requirement to modify or upgrade your existing cabling system to implement PoE. The technology operates seamlessly over standard four-pair Ethernet cable. You have the flexibility to employ any cable category from CAT5 through to CAT7A, and both shielded and unshielded variants are perfectly compatible.

The PoE standards support two distinct methodologies for power delivery over Ethernet infrastructure. The first approach utilises two wire pairs for data transmission whilst dedicating the remaining two pairs for power delivery. The alternative method involves transmitting both power and data over the same pair of wires. Despite this dual utilisation, signal interference is completely avoided due to the fundamental difference in frequency ranges between AC power and data signals.

To illustrate this concept, consider that electrical power operates at a remarkably low frequency of 60 Hertz or below. In contrast, data signals function at significantly higher frequencies, ranging from 10 million to 100 million Hertz. This vast frequency separation ensures absolutely no interference between power and data transmission.

Myth number two: All PoE is the same.

This couldn't be further from the truth. PoE technology encompasses different standards, each designed for specific power requirements. The original IEEE 802.3af standard, commonly referred to as standard Power over Ethernet, delivers power up to 12.95 watts. This was later supplemented by the IEEE 802.3at standard, known as PoE Plus, which significantly increases power delivery to at least 25.4 watts, enabling support for more power-hungry devices such as sophisticated pan, tilt, and zoom surveillance cameras.

Myth number three: PoE requires a lot of expensive new network equipment.

This myth often deters organisations from adopting PoE technology, but it's important to understand that implementing PoE can be remarkably cost-effective. PoE-compatible devices, such as cameras and wireless access points, are classified as power devices. These endpoints, which consume power from the network, are typically quite affordable. The other category of PoE equipment, known as power sourcing equipment, supplies power over the Ethernet infrastructure.

While you have the option to invest in PoE switches as your power sourcing equipment, a more economical approach might involve utilising mid-span power source equipment, such as injectors or splitters. These devices are installed between your existing network switch and the network infrastructure, eliminating the need to replace any existing equipment. The implementation process is straightforward and doesn't require the expertise of a qualified electrician.

The flexibility and scalability of PoE solutions make them particularly attractive for growing networks. You can start with a small implementation using mid-span injectors and gradually expand your PoE infrastructure as your requirements evolve. This approach allows for strategic investment in PoE technology whilst maximising the utility of your existing network infrastructure.

One of the most remarkable aspects of PoE technology lies in its intelligent power management capabilities. The plug-and-play nature of most PoE equipment eliminates concerns about improper power distribution or accidental power delivery to incompatible devices. This sophisticated safeguard stems from the built-in communication protocols between PoE-enabled devices, which establish a digital handshake to verify compatibility and power requirements before any electrical power is transmitted.

This intelligent power negotiation ensures that devices receive precisely the power they need whilst preventing potential damage to non-PoE equipment. The system automatically detects whether a connected device supports PoE and its specific power requirements, making the technology remarkably safe and user-friendly.

 
OmniConverter® Media Converters and Switches with Power over Ethernet (PoE)
 

OmniConverter offers a comprehensive range of PoE media converters and switches, meticulously designed to cater to diverse deployment requirements. These devices encompass a wide spectrum of configurations and features, encompassing various port configurations, PoE power levels, management options, and temperature ranges.

Full Power for up to 8 Powered Devices

• Features fixed-fiber connectors or SFP transceivers with 1 or 2 uplink ports.
• Supports PoE (15.4W), PoE+ (30W), HPoE (60W), and IEEE 802.3bt (60W and 100W).
• Available in managed and unmanaged options for indoor and outdoor deployments.

The OmniConverter and RuggedNet PoE product family includes switches that support copper or fiber uplink ports, along with 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 copper ports and multi-gigabit/multi-rate RJ-45 copper user ports with Power-over-Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, and IEEE 802.3bt).

The Gigabit PoE switches feature fixed fiber connectors, RJ-45 copper ports, or dual SFP receptacles that support 100M or 1G SFP transceivers. The 10Gigabit PoE switches come with dual SFP receptacles for 1Gigabit or 10Gigabit SFP transceivers.

Additionally, the 10Gigabit multi-gigabit/multi-rate Ethernet switches have one 1/10G SFP/SFP+ or multi-gigabit/multi-rate RJ-45 uplink port, along with two multi-gigabit/multi-rate RJ-45 ports and two 10/100/1000 RJ-45 user ports. The RJ-45 user ports support multi-gigabit/multi-rate speeds of 100Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, and 10Gbps.

Read more in the Omnitron PoE Product Overview Data Sheet PDF (1.6MB).

What is the 802.3at PoE Standard?

The IEEE 802.3af-2003 PoE standard provides 15.4 W per port. The revised IEEE 802.3at-2009 standard, or PoE+, increases this to 30 W for Type 2 devices, suitable for VoIP phones, wireless access points, and security cameras, but not for higher power needs like flat-screen displays or LED lighting.

Adding the 802.3bt PoE Standard

To address rising power demands, the IEEE introduced the 802.3bt standard in late 2018, enhancing power capacity to 60 W to 100 W by using all four wire pairs, improving energy efficiency and reducing power loss.

The new standard also supports 2.5GBASE-T, 5GBASE-T, and 10GBASE-T technologies, while existing standards max out at 1 Gbps, enabling higher data speeds.

PoE Types and Power Levels

What’s next?

Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology provides a cost-effective solution for enterprises enhancing their network infrastructure. It powers devices in remote locations, making it ideal for deploying cameras, wireless access points, speakers, and various network peripherals.

Omnitron’s offerings streamline installation, reduce operational costs, and increase network reliability. Integrating our PoE technology ensures seamless connectivity and efficient power management, enabling your teams to perform optimally.

Contact the team at AusOptic to discuss how we can tailor the right PoE solution for your needs.