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Power over Ethernet has made some great paces over the past couple of years. There is a wide range of applications of PoE in the form of VoIP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras. This technology has a very bright future because of its unlimited benefits and ease of installations. In this article, we talk about the PoE and the benefits that come with this technology.
What Exactly is Power over Ethernet?
PoE is a technology that uses a single ethernet cable to transmit both power and data signals. It allows you to use networking cables like Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6. These cables provide data connections and electrical power to wireless access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and other various power devices. By using PoE technology, you can deliver power to different devices without installing extra electrical cable.
Different Standards of Power over Ethernet
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), Cisco, and various other organizations have released several standards to define PoE. Some of these standards are IEEE 802.3at, IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3bt, Cisco UPOE.
IEEE 802.3bt – it is the latest PoE standard that allows power through a standard Networking cable over all four pairs to support 2.5G, 5G, and 10BASE-T networks. Type 3 and type 4 of PoE are under this standard. Type 3 can supply 60 watts and Type 4 can supply up to 100 watts of power.
IEEE 802.3af – this was the first standard that requires 15.4 watts of DC power without affecting the data rate of ethernet network. PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) yield to this standard transmits PoE.
IEEE 802.3at – this is an extension to its previous version. The primary purpose of this standard is to provide more power to power devices. This is backward compatible and you’ll get 30 watts of power.
Cisco UPOE – created by Cisco, this is short for Universal Power over Ethernet. It extends the IEEE 802.3at standard to enable all four pairs of the cable to provide 60 watts of power to the device. It can support several types of devices.
Benefits of Power over Ethernet
There are many attractive reasons to go for PoE. Some of them are listed here:
Flexibility – Ethernet cables are much easier to install than electrical cables. This ability allows you to install power devices anywhere not just near the electrical outlets. You can get a ton of flexibility to set up devices anywhere.
Cost Reduction – If you are using the PoE network, you don’t need to install electrical wires and outlets for terminal power devices. This technology will help you cut down your electrical bill and save power with power devices. There is no need to hire a professional electrician to set up this network, this way you can save both money and your valuable time.
Consistency – PoE gets its power from a central source. There is no need for a collection of distributed wall adapters. You can back it up with an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). You can also control it to easily disable or reset devices. By doing so, your power devices will run continuously even if there is a power break down.
Power over Ethernet is a beneficial technology for you. It will save you both time and money. Many other benefits come with this technology. But for PoE, you need Ethernet cables. If you are looking to buy ethernet cables, you can order them from NewYork Cables.
| Specification | Cat5e | Cat6 | Cat6a |
| Cable Jacket | Plenum, Riser & PVC | Plenum, Riser & PVC | Plenum & Riser |
| Wire Gauge | 24-AWG | 23-AWG | 23-AWG Highly Twisted |
| Frequencies | 350 MHZ | 550 MHZ | 750 MHZ |
| Installation Temp | 0°C to 60°C | 0°C to 60°C | 0°C to 60°C |
| Pairs | 4 Twisted Pairs | 4 Twisted Pairs | 4 Twisted Pairs |
| Package | Easy Pull Box | Easy Pull Box | Wood Spool |
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Red, Green, Yellow | Black, Blue, White, Red, Green, Yellow | Black, Blue, White, Red, Green, Yellow |
| Standard Compliance | ETL, FCC, CE, CSA, ISO/IES, RoHS | FCC, CE, CSA, ISO/IES, RoHS | ETL, FCC, CE, CSA, ISO/IES, RoHS |
