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Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a standards-based way to send electrical power and network data over the same Ethernet cable to compatible equipment, such as an IP camera, wireless access point, or VoIP phone. The equipment that supplies power is the power-sourcing equipment (PSE); the device that receives it is the powered device (PD).
How does Power over Ethernet work?
A PoE connection carries data and power over an Ethernet link, so a compatible endpoint can connect to the network without needing a separate nearby power source. The PSE supplies power through the link, and the PD receives it. IEEE’s 802.3af abstract describes the PSE as located at an endpoint or midspan, between the network interfaces, and supplying the PD over the link section: IEEE 802.3af-2003 abstract.
A PoE-capable Ethernet switch is a common endpoint PSE: the powered device plugs into one of the switch’s PoE ports. A PoE injector is a common midspan PSE: it adds power to a compatible Ethernet link between a regular switch and the powered device. These are alternative ways to supply a link, not different kinds of powered device.
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These names refer to generations of PoE capability associated with IEEE standards. The suffix matters because it indicates the power capability and compatibility requirements a source and recipient need to share.
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| Common name | IEEE standard | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| PoE | 802.3af | Defines optional power delivery to Ethernet data terminal equipment through a PSE at an endpoint or midspan. |
| PoE+ | 802.3at | A later PoE family. Check the specific source and device documentation for supported power and class. |
| PoE++ | 802.3bt | Uses all four cable pairs for power and extends power classification and management. IEEE’s 802.3bt-2018 amendment page marks that amendment superseded; its technical provisions should not be described as the latest standalone standard. |
IEEE’s description of 802.3bt explains the four-pair approach and extended classification information exchanged during negotiation: IEEE 802.3bt. The IEEE 802.3 catalogue provides standards-family context: IEEE 802.3 catalogue. For practical examples of powered equipment, see Microchip’s PoE overview.
How much power can PoE provide?
The maximum power a PSE supplies is not the same as the power guaranteed to reach a PD. Electrical resistance in the cable reduces the power delivered, and a switch’s total power budget may be too small to run every port at its individual maximum simultaneously.
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- PoE POWER SUPPLY: This gigabit PoE plus injector supplies a PoE device with PoE (15.4W) or PoE plus (30W) power.
NETGEAR’s vendor guidance gives these commonly cited figures; they are broad category figures, not a substitute for the IEEE type/class and the product datasheet:
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| Vendor category | Maximum per port from PSE | Minimum guaranteed at PD |
|---|---|---|
| PoE | 15.4 W | 12.95 W |
| PoE+ | 30 W | 25.5 W |
| PoE++ | 60 W or 90 W | 45 W listed |
These figures are from NETGEAR’s guidance; its retrieved article does not show a publication date. Its PoE++ grouping should not be read as meaning that every PoE++ device receives the same guaranteed wattage. See NETGEAR’s PoE explanation for the vendor’s ratings, cable-loss and power-budget discussion.
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How do you check PoE compatibility?
Before connecting equipment, compare what the powered device requires with what the power source can provide. NETGEAR describes newer-generation sources powering older-generation PDs in the cases covered by its guidance, but compatibility should be confirmed for the particular products rather than assumed from a name alone. Its compatibility guidance is at NETGEAR’s PoE compatibility page.
- IEEE type or class: Identify the PD’s required IEEE type/class and confirm the PSE supports it.
- Per-port power: Check that the port can supply the PD’s required power, accounting for power lost through the cable.
- Aggregate budget: For a switch, compare its total PoE budget with the combined demand of devices expected to run at the same time.
- Cable run: Account for cable length and resulting power loss when planning a link.
- Source arrangement: Choose a switch-integrated PSE for multiple powered links or a midspan injector where adding power to a compatible single link is appropriate.
When should you use a PoE switch or injector?
A PoE switch is useful when one device must supply power to several network endpoints. An injector can add midspan power to an individual compatible link when replacing the existing switch is unnecessary. In either case, verify the PD’s requirements, PSE support, and—if using a switch—the total available power budget before deployment.
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- Automatic Detect Technology: Equipped with auto-sensing technology, this gigabit poe injector provides up to 30W power and 1Gb data for PoE+ devices via a single ethernet cable. It's backward compatible with 802.3af (15.4W) devices
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- Easy to Install: With our plug-and-play gigabit PoE injector, you can easily connect your PoE network device. It's suitable for most installation scenarios and fulfills a wide range of installation needs such as powering IP cameras, wireless APs, and other network devices
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