Power supply maker Phihong USA has joined the new IEEE 802.3 task force, which was formed to create an improved Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard. Building on the original IEEE 802.3af standard, the new IEEE 802.3at initiative, designated PoEPlus, will more than double the wattage available to powered devices.
“Many people want to take advantage of PoE, but the12.9-W maximum of ‘af’ just isn’t enough power,” said Keith Hopwood, vice president of marketing for Phihong USA. “If accepted as a new IEEE standard, PoEPlus will allow increased power to many more devices, enhancing their capabilities, such as those used for streaming video VoIP, IP security applications and broadband wireless access points.”
If implemented as a standard, PoEPlus will allow at least 30 W of power and potentially up to 45 W, according to Hopwood. Phihong has already developed many products that deliver high-power PoE, but most customers would prefer a common industry standard for all devices on the market. Additional applications that will benefit from the IEEE 802.3at initiative include Phihong’s wireless multi-radio access points, pan tilt zoom security cameras and IP phones with streaming video displays.
PoE allows both power and data to be carried over a single Ethernet cable, enabling a device to operate entirely from the power it receives through the data cable. This eliminates the need for additional wall outlets, so phones can be moved around offices without costly and time-consuming rewiring.