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

PoE Switch

PoE switch has in-built Power over Ethernet functionality. These types of switches supply power to network devices using Ethernet cables, like Cat6 cable, to realize network connectivity. Most of the 802.3af switches can deliver 15.4 watts over an Ethernet cable with a voltage ranging from 44v to 57v.

PoE+ Switch

As the name suggests, it is an advanced version of PoE technology developed and published in 2009 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 802.3at standard). In many cases, power devices within the network require more PoE wattage up to 12.95, and, PoE+ is the best solution that supports a higher power consumption requirement. Like a PoE network switch, PoE+ supplies power over two pairs. But, it has an additional power class that can deliver power watts up to 25.5 at a partial discharge with a voltage range varying from 42.5v to 57v. The maximum power supplied by every one of the PoE+ switches is 30W, alongside a voltage range of 50 to 57V.

One of the key items to watch out for is that in a PoE+ switch, not all switch ports will be PoE+. One can have a mix of PoE and PoE+ ports. That is something to keep in mind when evaluating network switches. You may also see PoE+ referred to as Type 2 PoE.

PoE++ Switch

PoE++ network switch is the next generation of PoE+ technology. It is designed to provide power to broader device applications. It is classified by IEEE 802.3bt standard into two different types – PoE++ type 3 and PoE++ type 4. Type 3 enables two or all four twisted pairs in a copper to deliver power up to 51 watts with a voltage range from 42.5v to 57v. Type 4 switches enable four twisted pairs in an ethernet cable to deliver power up to 71 watts. Being an upgraded version of the PoE network switch and PoE+ switch, PoE++ can hit 60 watts on each port under PoE++ type 3 and up to 100 watts under the PoE++ type 4.

However, Cisco universal power over Ethernet (UPoE) works almost the same with the PoE type 3, which increases the PoE+ IEEE standard to extend the power to a powered device to 51W. In some situations, UPoE is also known as PoE++.

The Differences Between PoE, PoE+ & PoE++ Switch

The Benefits of Industrial PoE Switches

•          Strong connections over long distances with increased speeds.
•          Fiber connectivity options for PoE switches.
•          Options for 802.3af, 802.3.at, and 802.3bt.
•          Option to use a single twisted pair Ethernet cable.
•          Multiple managed port options ranging from 5 to 28, depending on the voltage.
•          Unmanaged port options ranging from 5 to 26, depending on the voltage.