What is IEEE 802.3bt PoE, and when do You Need it?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an organization that sets global standards for electrical engineering technology and creates PoE standards. The IEEE 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard was published to enable Ethernet cabling to deliver more power. The new standard increases the power transmitted through a single twisted pair cable from 25 watts in 802.3at to 90 watts in 802.3bt PoE. 

Differences Between IEEE 802.3bt & IEEE 802.3af/at

The main difference between IEEE 802.3 PoE standards is the power they provide over a twisted pair cable. The IEEE 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard, known as PoE++, delivers power up to 90W over a single twisted pair cable. The 802.3af standard supports a maximum power of 15.44 watts. Although Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) can provide 15.44 watts, PoE-powered devices (PD) receive 12.95 watts due to power dissipation. In 2009, the IEEE introduced the higher standard 802.3at, which is still known as PoE+. This standard supports 30 watts of power. Like the 802.3af standard, in this standard, due to energy loss, the equipment receives a maximum power of 25.5 watts.

PoE Standards Types

PoE technology has four different Types and the difference between each Type is the power it provides to powered devices (PDs). 

Type 1 PoE

The IEEE 802.3af standard recognizes Type 1, which provides 15.4 watts of electric current in the network cable. This type is the first generation of PoE, was released in 2003 and is the oldest in this technology. A wide range of devices, such as network switches, wireless access points and CCTV cameras are used with the help of Type 1.

Type 2 PoE

The IEEE 802.3at standard recognizes Type 2 (also known as PoE+), which provides 30 watts of electric current. PoE+ has twice the output power than Type 1. Type 2 is used in wireless access points with high consumption, biometric sensors, CCTV cameras and LCDs. Type 2 is backward compatible meaning it can also power Type 1 devices. Electrical energy is used more efficiently with the help of PoE+ generation.

Type 3 PoE

Type 3, which is known as PoE++ and UPoE, the terms RP PoE and four-pair PoE are used for this type. For this reason, we use the name four pairs; in this type, all four pairs with a UTP cable are used to transmit power and data. Type 3 PoE within the IEEE 802.3bt standard can provide up to 60 watts of electric current, which is equivalent to two times Type 2. The amount of power delivered by PoE++ can easily provide power for a video conference, PTZ camera or other high-powered LED signage.

Type 4 PoE

Type 4 PoE has been available to the public since 2018. This type is also known as High-Power PoE. The standard of this type is the same as the previous type; i.e., IEEE 802.3bt, which has improvements compared to the third type. The maximum power delivered for this type of PoE is 100 watts. Type 4 PoE is perfect for the latest power-hungry devices like TVs and digital signage. Type 4 can provide power to TVs and computer through a network cable, which is a significant development for this technology. This development means that you can use a PoE network cable to simultaneously provide power to the computer and access the internet.

Comparison of IEEE 802.3bt PoE Mode A & Mode B

There are two modes of IEEE 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard: A and B. The 802.3at standard uses 1-2 and 3-6 pins to transmit information and electricity when using A mode and uses 5-4 and 8-7 pins to transmit information and electricity when using B mode. The remaining pins are used for data transfer. Although these differences look minor, they are very important. Lack of attention to the pins that are used to send and receive electricity can render the devices inappropriate and ineffective.

IEEE 802.3bt PoE Mode A

In mode A, pins 1-2 and 3-6 are used to send and receive data and energy. The pins 4-5 and 7-8 remain unused. Equipment that uses A mode is commonly known as end-Span. 

IEEE 802.3bt PoE Mode B

On the other hand, in the B mode, no pin pair is left unused. Mode B uses pins 1-2 and 3-6 to send data, and the power flow is transmitted through pins 4-5 and 7-8. Pins 4-5 and 7-8 are sometimes called spare pairs or phantom pairs, and the devices that use B mode are known as Midspan.

When Do You Need IEEE 802.3bt?

IEEE 802.3bt PoE is needed when a device needs more than 25W of power, or your network loses efficiency because it has too many cables connecting switches, routers and other devices. Many devices like security cameras, high-performance access points and digital signage require more than 25W of power and run at higher power levels. These days they support 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet). If you have one of these devices but need more power outlets near them on your network switch or patch panel, then you need IEEE 802.3bt PoE.

IEEE 802.3bt PoE Benefits 

IEEE 802.3bt PoE has multiple user benefits, including greater power efficiency and the ability to expand your network without the need for a specific cable length or limiting how many devices are connected to the network device. While some technical limitations may prevent you from using this standard on your current setup, upgrading now will ensure that you're ready when a change is needed down the road.

The IEEE 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet) enables easy installation for devices like security cameras, high-performance access points and digital signage without needing to install and additional power source in the remote areas where these may be located. The IEEE 802.3bt PoE helps reduce costs associated with installing new electrical outlets and makes adding new equipment to the network quick and easy.

Upgrade the Network Infrastructure

If you're looking to upgrade your network infrastructure and make the most of the IEEE 802.3bt PoE (Power over Ethernet) standard, it's important to consider what devices will be connected and how much power they need. While you can do a few things independently, you will need to work with an IT professional to upgrade your infrastructure.

The first step toward preparing for this changeover is upgrading your network devices, like switches, and routers, which support 802.3bt standards. Then make sure that any other Powered devices support IEEE 802.3bt PoE standard.

Omnitron Network Devices That Comply with IEEE 802.3bt Standard 

Here is a list of network devices like PoE switches, PoE media converters and PoE extenders that can Power IEEE 802.3af, IEEE 802.3at or IEEE 802.3bt PoE 60W Powered Devices.

PoE Switches

OmniConverter (Power over Ethernet) PoE Switches feature up to eight power-sourcing 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports and up to two fiber uplink ports and support IEEE 802.3af/at (15.4W and 30W), Legacy 60W HPoE and IEEE 802.3bt (60W and 100W).

RuggedNet Industrial PoE switches have similar characteristics with 1gbps and 10gbps models that support 802.3bt PoE and come with the industrial -40 to 75°C operating temperature rating.

PoE Media Converters

OmniConverter multi-port (Power over Ethernet) PoE media converters feature up to four RJ-45 ports and up to two fiber uplink ports and support IEEE 802.3af/at (15.4W and 30W) and IEEE 802.3bt (60W and 100W). 

PoE Extenders

OmniConverter (Power over Ethernet) PoE extenders feature one PoE/PD port and up to two PoE/PSE ports and an IEEE 802.3at or High-Power (HPoE) 60W power source can power it. These PoE extenders function as Powered Devices (PD) and Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE). 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are differences in the PoE (Power over Ethernet) standards. 802.3bt is designed to deliver more power to a device than 802.3af/at, making it ideal for industrial equipment and other devices that require more power than the previous standard provided.

If you have any future questions about PoE standards or if you are still unsure which of the following products is your choice for powered-devices (PDs), contact Omnitron Systems technicians to get free pre-sale support. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Call us now to get pre-sale support.

At Omnitron, we understand that network design is essential to any successful IT infrastructure. That's why we offer free network design services to our customers. Our experienced network engineers will collaborate with you to develop a comprehensive design that meets your unique needs, budget and time limit. Schedule your free network design.

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Resources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Electrical_and_Electronics_Engineers 

https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/Power-over-Ethernet