Today we’re sharing four ways to deliver PoE power — let’s take a look together.
**Both the switch and the endpoint support PoE**
In this method, the PoE switch connects directly over network cable to PoE-powered wireless APs and network cameras. It is the simplest approach, but two points need attention: 1. Confirm whether the PoE switch and the wireless AP or network camera are standard PoE devices. 2. Carefully verify the specification of the network cable you purchase. Cable quality is critical: poor-quality cable can prevent the AP or IP camera from receiving power, or cause it to restart repeatedly.
**The switch supports PoE, the endpoint does not**
In this solution, the PoE switch connects to a PoE splitter. The splitter separates the power into a data signal and electrical power, with two output lines: one for power and one for the network data signal — that is, a standard network cable. The power output is available in 5V/9V/12V and other voltages, matching a range of non-PoE powered endpoints with DC input, and supports the IEEE 802.3af/802.3at standards. The data signal output line — a standard network cable — simply connects to the network port of the non-PoE powered endpoint.
**The switch does not support PoE, the endpoint does**
In this solution, the switch connects to a PoE injector, which adds power onto the network cable before transmitting it to the endpoint. This solution is well suited to extending an existing cabling network and has no impact on the existing network.
**Neither the switch nor the endpoint supports PoE**
In this solution, the switch connects to a PoE injector, then to a PoE splitter, and finally to the endpoint. Solutions 3 and 4 suit the upgrade of legacy networks — cases where the existing switch does not support PoE power delivery but you still want the benefits of PoE.
**How to connect a PoE injector**
So in practice, how should the cables be wired? Many people have some understanding of PoE technology and know about power pinouts such as 1236 or 4578, and so worry that a wiring mistake could have serious consequences, such as burning out equipment. The PoE standard requires PSE devices such as PoE switches and PoE power modules (PoE injectors) to support either the 1236 or the 4578 power pinout — one of the two is sufficient. The latest 802.3at 4-pair standard, of course, requires support for both simultaneously. Powered devices (PDs), by contrast, must support both power modes at the same time.
