The explosion of powered devices connected to home and workplace networks has created one of the fastest growing areas of industry. At Antaira, we feature all the types of switches used to control your network. Power over Ethernet switches were initially designed to carry both data and power over Ethernet cables to low-powered devices like phones and security cameras, but the technology developed fast, and new uses for PoE switches required more power than that offered by standard switches.

In 2009, PoE+ was introduced to satisfy the demand for an affordable and workable solution for faster WiFi and higher-powered signal processors and radio arrays. Sometimes called Type 2 PoE, the technology supplies greater power for various applications while remaining within safety guidelines that don’t require an electrician to manage the network. Nine years later an even more advanced version was introduced called PoE++, which has two parts often referred to as Type 3 and Type 4 PoEs. According to information posted at learnaboutcable.com, learning about Ethernet and how to implement it into your applications can save you money and will allow you to build a viable network along the way.

Power Capabilities of the Various Types of Power over Ethernet Switches

The power provided by an industrial PoE switch, Type 1, uses standardized Ethernet wires twisted into pairs to power devices that use up to 12.95 watts of power in a range of 37V to 57V. This is sufficient power to operate VoIP phones, static surveillance cameras and wireless access points for transmitting information. The technical rating is usually 15.4 watts for devices operating from 44V to 57V based on some loss of power.

Power over Ethernet Type 2

Power over Ethernet Type 2, also known as PoE+, uses a two-pair configuration that can deliver up to 30 watts of power at the port level, and the technology was released by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers in 2009 under the IEEE 802.3at switch standard. This technology can deliver up to 25.5 watts of power to each connected device, and the higher limit makes it possible to power video IP phones, RFID readers, PTZ cameras and alarm systems. The technology is designed for Cat5 cables or better, and it can also support the devices used in standard Power over Ethernet switches.

Power over Ethernet Type 3

PoE Type 3 switches, also known as PoE++, use all four pairs of copper cables in an Ethernet cable under the standard IEEE 802.3bt switch, which was first published in 2011. This configuration supports up to 60 watts of power to each port, and it can run devices requiring up to 51 watts of power. This is enough power to support multiple radio wireless access points, PTZ cameras, video conferencing equipment and multiple building management devices.

PoE Type 4

Also known as Power over Ethernet++, Type 4 switches offer the highest level of power for Power over Intern switches -- up to 100 watts of power. The configuration also conforms to the IEEE 802.3bt switch standard, and this level of power can run laptops and flat screen entertainment devices. Technically, the limit of power is 90 watts and up to 70 watts for each device.

Other Important Differences in Types of Switches

The importance to users of different types of switches involves their operational mode and power supply. Using an 802.3af switch, a.k.a. Type 1 PoE switch, requires a power delivery of less than 15.4 watts for sensors, two-antenna wireless access points, meters and simple surveillance cameras. The PoE+ switch is limited by the IEEE 802.3at switch standard of 30 watts of port power and 25.5 watts for each device. That supports cameras that can zoom, tilt and pan a given area.

The higher level of power of PoE++ can run laptops, televisions and complex camera systems. The Ethernet cabling you choose for different types of switches also plays a critical role -- such as whether to use two or four pairs of twisted copper cables or fiber optic cables. You also need to determine whether you need unmanaged, web-smart or managed switches.

Usually, you choose unmanaged switches for simple plug-and-play devices with fixed configurations. These are typically used in small networks and home networks. Medium-sized networks work most efficiently when using web-smart switches with basic levels of management options. These switches also require selection based on other factors if used in demanding environments. You can choose from commercial, industrial, or hardened grades. Commercial grade switches are chosen for operating temperature ranges of 0 to 50°C or 32° to 122°F. The industrial PoE switch was designed for temperature ranges from -10° to 60°C or 14° to 140°F.

Hardened switches are used in the most extreme environmental conditions and temperature ranges from -40° to 75°C or -40° to 167°F. Managed switches allow you to set configuration details to different levels of management such as VLAN, QoS, IGMP snooping and link aggregation. Setting the minimum details reduces switch complexity.

Leaving Room for Growth

It's becoming increasingly important to build your work network with an eye to projected growth. Separating your network into categories enables you to use managed switches more intelligently based on factors like speed, number of enabled ports, LCD display options and other criteria than simple power requirements. However, power management is the single most important factor when building your network.

Overtime, you might want to add more power-hungry applications. Power over Ethernet options allows an astonishing level of flexibility to add new applications, build a separate network or relocate your site for greater convenience. You might find that you need to monitor your computers or HVAC energy consumption.

Contact us today at Antaira Technologies to learn more about our industrial switch options which can reduce the structural costs of building a network and give you greater control of your network.