PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++ Switch: How to Choose?

Updated on May 30, 2024 by

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PoE, or Power over Ethernet, is a proven time-saving and money-saving technology that delivers data and power safely over the same Ethernet cable for the local area networks (LANs). In the current market, if you notice Power over Ethernet switch types, you will find that there are PoE switches, PoE+ switches, and PoE++ switches. But how much do you know about these three PoE switch types? This article sheds light on the differences between PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++ switches as well as their applications. Hope this post will give you some inspiration on choosing a suitable PoE network switch.

Differences Between PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++

Defined in 2003, Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, under the IEEE 802.3af standard, initially allowed powered devices (PDs) such as VoIP phones to receive up to 12.95W of power using only two of the four twisted pairs in Ethernet cabling. By 2009, as devices began requiring more power, the IEEE 802.3at standard evolved into PoE+ technology, serving the increased wattage demands of gadgets like wireless access points that needed over 12.95W to function effectively.

To further accommodate the expanding needs of power consumption for a wider range of device applications, the IEEE 802.3 standard underwent another upgrade in 2018 to PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt standard), introducing two types: Type 3, which delivers up to 51W of power using two or all four twisted pairs in a copper cable, and Type 4, which offers up to 71W over four twisted pairs in an Ethernet cable, marking a significant advancement in powering devices over Ethernet infrastructure.

PoE Switch

What Is PoE Switch?

PoE switch refers to an application of PoE technology. Functioning as a kind of PSE (power sourcing equipment), a PoE switch can supply power to PDs via Ethernet cables to realize network connectivity. Generally, an 802.3af switch supports max power consumption of up to 15.4W per PoE port with a voltage range between 44V and 57V. And the voltage range of PDs, connected with the PoE switch, is from 37V to 57V.

What Is PoE+ Switch?

Similar to a PoE network switch, the PoE plus switch also supplies power over two pairs, but it adds an additional power class that is able to deliver power up to 25.5W for a PD with a voltage range from 42.5V to 57V. The max power delivered by each port of a PoE+ switch is 30W, along with a voltage range from 50V to 57V.

What Is PoE++ Switch?

PoE++ network switch is the next generation of PoE+ technology. PoE++ switch supports up to 60 watts of power to each port under Type 3 and offers the highest level of power for Power over Ethernet switches--up to 100W on each PoE port under Type 4.

PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++ Switch: Which to Choose?

When selecting a PoE switch, it's crucial to base your choice on varying needs. This section provides information to help you make the best selection among four types of PoE switches, considering both specifications and applications.

Specifications of PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++ Switch

Based on the above-mentioned introduction, a reference chart that summarizes detailed specifications among PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++ switches is presented below.

	PoE	PoE+	PoE++
IEEE Standard	IEEE 802.3af	IEEE 802.3at	IEEE 802.3bt
PoE Type	Type 1	Type 2	Type 3	Type 4
Max. Power Per Port	15.4W	30W	60W	100W
Port Voltage Range	44–57V	50-57V	50-57V	52-57V
Max. Power to Device	12.95W	25.5W	51W	71W
Voltage Range to Device	37-57V	42.5-57V	42.5-57V	41.1-57V
Twisted Pairs Used	2-pair	2-pair	4-pair	4-pair
Supported Cables	Cat3 or better	Cat5 or better	Cat5 or better	Cat5 or better

Note: the presented figures are just valuable in theory, while the total power capacity of PoE series switches in the application will be oversubscribed with more ports for many devices using less than maximum power. For instance, if you have a switch with all PoE++ Type 4 ports, it does not mean you will use all of them at maximum load 24×7. Consequently, you need to calculate the power requirements for all the powered devices that you plan to connect to the switch and select corresponding patch cables for your PoE design.

Applications of PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++ Switch

Evidently, the major differences among PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++ switches lie in their working mode and power supply, which are reflected in their applications.

PoE Switch

PoE+ Switch

PoE++ Switch

Type

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

Type 4

Applications

1. Basic VoIP phones operating across the public internet

2. Two-antenna wireless access points for small networks

3. Stationary security cameras without pan, tilt, and zoom

4. Sensors, meters, etc

1. IP telephones that offer fax, text messaging, and voice calls

2. Wireless access points with six antennas

3. Remote-controlled pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) surveillance cameras

4. Biometric sensors that collect biological characteristics

1. Two-way video phone calls in a conferencing system

2. Building management devices such as gate or door controllers

3. Thin clients connected remotely to a server-based computing environment

4. Remote patient monitoring devices

1. Laptops and TVs

PoE switch is a good choice if low-standard power levels are enough for your data center. Otherwise, PoE+ or PoE++ switch is better when a more robust and high-performance network with multiple varied devices is required, without concerning port limitations. They are also wise choices for building infrastructures of higher requirements and upgrade planning. Certainly, you can retain the existing PoE network design if it is adequate and fits your demands.

PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++ Switch

Choose the Suitable FS PoE Switch

The main features of the three FS PoE switches are shown below.

	S3400-24T4FP	S3410-48TS-P	S5850-24XMG-U
Description	24-Port Gigabit Ethernet L2+ PoE+ Switch	48-Port Gigabit Ethernet L2+ PoE+ Switch	24-Port Ethernet L3 PoE++ Switch
PoE Standard	IEEE 802.3af/at	IEEE 802.3af/at	IEEE 802.3af/at/bt
Ports	24x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45 \| 4x 1G RJ45/SFP Combo	48x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45, 2x 1G RJ45/SFP Combo \| 2x 1G/10G SFP+	24x 10/100/1000M/2.5G/5G/10GBASE-T \| 2x 100G QSFP28
Switching Capacity	56 Gbps	176 Gbps	880 Gbps
Power Budget	370W	470W	2200W

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you intend to supply power to devices that demand greater power or foresee the expansion of your network in the future, opting for a higher PoE standard (like PoE+ or PoE++) could prove advantageous. Nonetheless, it is crucial to confirm compatibility, evaluate the capabilities of your current infrastructure, and take into account your specific requirements before reaching a decision. You can connect an FS consultant and harness the full potential of your network with our PoE solutions.

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