Selecting the Cable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE): Which Factors Should Be Considered?

Selecting the Cable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE): Which Factors Should Be Considered?

Choosing the Right Cable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology has been widely used for transmitting data and electrical power through a single twisted pair cable.

This technology provides efficient and convenient data transmission for various devices, such as Wireless Access Points (WAPs), Voice over Internet Protocol phones (VoIP), and Internet Protocol (IP) cameras.

However, the application of PoE technology can be complex and choosing the right cable for PoE transmission is a critical aspect.

An incorrect cable choice can result in performance issues, excessive heat generation, and decreased efficiency in the PoE network.

In this guide, we will discuss the functioning of PoE technology, the importance of cables, and how to select the appropriate cables for PoE transmission.

Other factors that need to be considered will also be discussed.

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Selecting the Cable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE): Which Factors Should Be Considered?

About Data Transmission through PoE Cable Choosing the right PoE cable for an application is not only about considering the technical specifications of the cable but also understanding the specific needs of the application. Here are some additional factors to consider for cable and application compatibility: Temperature Rating: The temperature rating of a cable is the maximum temperature that its jacket or shielding can withstand. In the case of PoE transmission, it's important to choose cables with a temperature rating of at least 60˚C. A higher temperature rating allows for higher power dissipation through the copper cable. When selecting cables for PoE, it's important to check the temperature rating, with options in the market ranging from 60˚C to 90˚C. Size of a Conductor Gauge: The length of the cable required for an application will also impact the selection of a PoE cable. Longer cable lengths will result in higher power loss, so it's important to choose a cable that can handle the required power at the necessary distance.

Cable Construction: The heat generated and dissipated by copper cables is influenced by their construction. Unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP) and shielded twisted pair cable (STP) are the two main types of copper cable construction.

Shielded cables with foil or metallic shields, such as STP, generally provide better heat dissipation than UTP cables. The cooler the cable runs, the greater the heat dissipation. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a category 6 or category 7 STP cable with foil or metallic shields.

Installation Mechanism: Thermal resistance and insertion losses are determined by the type of installation or connectivity mechanism used for the copper cable. Optimal installation configuration should prioritize low insertion loss, easy connectivity, and efficient heat dissipation. If inappropriate installation mechanisms are used, the conduit effect may occur, leading to trapped heat, which can damage the cable's physical and operational performance.

Cable Material: Finally, it's important to consider the cable should be able to work seamlessly with any other PoE devices in the network, including switches, routers, and access points.

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Selecting the Cable for Power Over Ethernet (PoE): Which Factors Should Be Considered?

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cable for Power over Ethernet (PoE) Applications IEEE 802.3af-2003: This is the first PoE standard established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It specifies that PoE devices can be powered with up to 15.4 watts of power at a voltage range between 44 to 57 DCV and a current of 350mA. IEEE 802.3at-2009: This is an updated version of the IEEE standard, commonly referred to as PoE+ or PoE Plus. It allows for PoE devices to be powered with 25.5 to 30 watts of power at a voltage range of 50-57 DCV. This standard prohibits the use of all four pairs of power cables and requires compatibility with backward transmission.

IEEE 802.3bu-2016: This standard was established for single-pair Power over Data Line (PoDL) signal transmission and can be used for Ethernet cables such as 100Base-T1 and 1000Base-T1 cables in automotive and industrial applications.

IEEE 802.3bt-2018: This is the latest IEEE standard for PoE devices. It is suitable for type 3 and type 4 PoE devices and offers two versions for each type. For type 3 devices, it enables 60-watt power transmission and for type 4 devices, it enables 100-watt power transmission.

Data Transmission Requirements: When choosing a copper cable for a PoE application, it is crucial to consider various data transmission requirements, such as the transmission rate, supported transmission length, and more.

Short-distance transmissions can often use Cat5 cable, but high-megapixel IP cameras and other digital devices may require higher transmission grade cables, such as 1000Base-T. For moderate efficiency applications, Cat6 and Cat6a are commonly used, while high-wattage PoE applications need 2.5 to 5 GB Ethernet data rates, making HDBase-T cables the preferred choice.

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www.versitron.com

302-894-0699

83 Albe Drive - Suite C - Newark, DE 19702 US