Applications for Power over Ethernet

Major applications such as IP phones, access points and network cameras are currently the primary drivers of the PoE industry, as companies benefit from the cost-savings and flexibility.  But as an evolutionary technology, the list of  Power over Ethernet applications grows longer each day, ranging from industrial and building control to PoE-enabled guitars.   And in the near future, higher powered devices might also benefit from PoE:  The IEEE has formed a study group specifically for “PoE Plus”, a prospective standard for powering devices up to 40W.  This would allow PoE options for cell phones, laptops and a host of other devices

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Major applications

IP Phones:  Voice-over-IP phones (VOIP) allow the delivery of phone signals over a data network rather than the traditional telephone lines.    Power over Ethernet addresses one of the primary concerns of VOIP: reliability and flexibility.   PoE enabled IP phones receive uninterrupted power through the network, without the need for an AC outlet for each phone.  Most IP phones released in the past 12-18 months are PoE-enabled

WLAN:  Wireless access points transmit data wirelessly to laptops and other portable devices.  Placement of access points is crucial to creating an effective wireless network. PoE-enabled access points can be placed in strategic locations – such as ceilings – out of reach of electrical outlets.  In an enterprise setting, this can substantially reduce the cost installation costs.

Security Cameras and Devices:  Security cameras are traditionally located near electrical outlets, which limits their effectiveness.  Utilizing the data network for cameras  and access control devices on ceilings,  hallways, lobbies, or outdoor areas is significantly less expensive (savings estimates range from $500 to $1000 per device) with PoE. 

RFID:  Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to identify a tagged item.   An RFID reader sends a signal to an RFID tag, which identifies the item.  Similar to wireless access points, PoE allows RFID readers to be strategically situated in locations that optimize effectiveness.  RFID adoption has been jump-started  by Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense, which have begun to require vendors to use the technology.

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