HANSUN What Is A PoE Switch?
A switch is a device that allows devices on a network to communicate. A PoE switch has the Power over Ethernet functionality built into it. This means you can power devices using network cables.
A PoE switch provides power that can be used to run other devices via the Ethernet cabling. If your network has distributed switches, it’s also possible to get PoE pass-through switches. These are themselves powered by PoE from a central source but can also pass power on to endpoint devices such as cameras or phones.
What Devices Use A PoE Switch?
There are many devices that can be powered by PoE. However, the amount of power needed can differ.
Low Watt PoE devices
- VoiP and Video Phones
- IP cameras
- Wireless Access Points
- Audio Devices
- Remote Computer Terminals and Thin Clients
High Watt PoE devices
- TVs
- Computer Monitors
- Laptops
When Should You Use PoE Switches?
If you have just one or two PoE devices, they can be powered using injectors. These are small devices that plug into a power source and sit between the Ethernet switch and the device to be powered. They provide power to the IEEE 802.3af standard.
Where there are lots of PoE devices, if you use VoIP phones, for example, using individual injectors becomes cumbersome and complicated. Most normal switches don’t support PoE, so you can’t use injectors to provide power before the switch.
However, there is a solution.
Most PoE switches offer a mix of both powered and non-powered ports so that they can be used in your general network.
More sophisticated models such as those offered by Hansun offer auto-sensing. This detects when a PoE device is present on a port and provides power to it, but turns it off for non-PoE devices. This ensures that you can safely connect any device to any port without the risk of causing damage to your equipment.
Do PoE Switches Have Any Limitations?
Most PoE switches have limited power, so you can only power smaller devices. Powering larger objects requires more powerful switches, which can be very expensive.
The electric power needed to run these PoE devices is often more expensive than running them through a wall. This means PoE switches should only be used when running two cables is a problem.
One final consideration is if the switch is powering multiple devices and stops running for any reason, all devices connected to it will lose power.
What Are The Benefits Of PoE Switches?
PoE switches have some great benefits. As they cover both network and power, you will only need one cable for each device, rather than two. This helps when you have limited space to run cables, or your office already has too many cables to organise neatly.
PoE is also great for expanding a network where power is an issue. For example, if you want to create a bank of computers in a part of the room with limited power sockets.
PoE switches are also easier to maintain and review. They can be monitored remotely and even completely shut down during downtime.
As they do not need wiring, you do not need to hire an electrician to install them. With a little bit of research, you can be up and running in no time at all.
