Cabling to a
Higher Power
Infrastructure Challenges
and Considerations with
Remote Powering (PoE)
16 I ICT TODAY
One of the hottest infrastructure game changers to hit the ICT industry
is the recent ratification of the IEEE 802.3bt Power over Ethernet (PoE) over 4
Pairs amendment (i.e., Type 3 and Type 4), which allows transmission of higher
wattage to many IP-enabled devices over communications cabling. Power
over Ethernet (PoE) now enables up to 90 watts (W) to be transmitted over
four pairs of a twisted-pair cable. PoE has been around since 2003 with the
introduction of Type 1 (15 W at the power source equipment, average 13 W at
the powered device). The newly published IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 (60 W at the
powered source equipment, average 51 W at the powered device) and Type
4 (90 W at the powered source equipment and up to 71 W at the powered
device) open the flood gates of applications by doubling or tripling the
power output from the previous Type 2 at 30 W, which was ratified almost
10 years ago.
What does this mean and how will it affect the ICT world? The higher
power available with Types 3 and 4 means that many more devices and
applications will be able to be remotely powered without the installation of a
local AC power circuit. It will also add expanded capabilities to devices that are
already PoE enabled. The great news is that PoE will increase business for ICT
contractors, because it will allow the design and installation of applications
that were previously installed by electricians or specialty services.
Understanding PoE can sometimes be daunting as this is a new challenge
for low-voltage installers. It is best to focus on the “need to know” concepts
and understand that there are “nice to know” assists. The “need to know”
“As we explore the
implications of PoE
technology, today is the
worst you will see it;
it only gets better from
here. PoE is changing
low-voltage applications
and will transform
our lives,” states
Farukh Aslam, CEO of
Sinclair Holdings, LLC, a
consultant and designer
of emerging Internet of
Things (IoT) applications.
By Carol Everett Oliver,
RCDD, ESS