Do you want to avoid the hassle of finding or installing an electrical outlet in an out-of-the-way location? Are you looking to save money when installing IT equipment? These benefits and more can be yours with PoE Media Converters. First, let's define the term, PoE.
What is PoE?
One significant advantage offered by twisted-pair Ethernet cable is providing electrical power to low-wattage electrical devices with Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) first defined specifications for low-level power delivery over twisted-pair Ethernet cable to PoE-enabled devices such as IP telephones, wireless access points, Web cameras, and audio speakers in June 2000 with the 802.3 af-2003 standard, which was updated in September 2009 with the 802.3at (PoE+) standard. Further refined in 2018, the IEEE 802.3bt standard, known as PoE++ or 4PPoE, expands the power capabilities of 802.3at.
PoE works well in many applications: video surveillance, building management, retail video kiosks, smart signs, vending machines, retail point-of-information systems, laptops, flat screens, and other applications where connecting to a power outlet is impossible or inconvenient.
What are the Benefits of PoE Media Converters?
PoE, PoE+, and PoE++
The types of PoE vary in the amount of power available delivered over CATx cable to devices. The chart below summarizes the power capabilities of each type of PoE, as well as some common devices that the different types of PoE support.
Name | IEEE Standard |
Power to Powered Device (PD) |
Max. Power per Port |
Energized Pairs |
Supported Devices |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
PoE | IEEE 802.3af (Type 1) |
12.95 W | 15.4 W | 2-pair | Static surveillance cameras, VoIP phones, wireless access points |
PoE+ | IEEE 802.3at (Type 2) |
25.5 W | 30 W | 2-pair | PTZ cameras, video IP phones, alarm systems |
PoE++ | IEEE 802.3bt (Type 3) |
51 W | 60 W | 4-pair | Video conferencing equipment, multi-radio wireless access points |
PoE++ | IEEE 802.3bt (Type 4) |
71.3 W | 100 W | 4-pair | Laptops, flat screens |
Black Box PoE Media Converters are the ideal way to extend your network over fiber or copper and also provide power to remote PoE devices over long-distance data links. They act as a copper to fiber converter and PSE (Power Sourcing Equipment) all in one device. Find out more about PoE Media Converters.