Systems Design and 802.3bt

The newest Power over Ethernet (POE) standard, IEEE 802.3bt, offers a lot of speed and power. It’s referred to as 4PPoE, because it uses all four pairs, instead of two pairs, for POE+ power delivery. IEEE 802.3bt will go up to 100 watts, about four times more than the current POE+ IEEE standard. When you need high power for your devices, IEEE 802.3bt will work well in your systems design.

IEEE 802.3bt will allow for more energy going to powerful terminal devices, using network cables. This means parallel power cabling does not have to be a part of your systems design anymore, but attenuation may be increased when using twisted-pair copper cables. If you are working on a cabling project using IEEE 802.3bt, you should be aware of how this can affect your system, and how to avoid reaching critical temperatures leading to loss of power.

A long-term temperature increase of just 10 degrees Celsius is enough to halve the service life of a cable, not to mention the risks of fire and other safety hazards. High temperatures reduce the potential length of a link, and can greatly impede data transfer.

Solutions to this systems design problem include avoiding thick cable bundles and heat buildup in cable channels, using large conductor cross sections or shielded cables, and reducing link lengths to avoid excess heat. Connection modules and plugs with insulation displacement technology help create stable connections while reducing the risk of heat and fire, and cabling designers and installers should also be aware that there must be a sufficient distance between breaking points and nominal contact areas as well.

A POE calculator can help with systems design, implementing data like cable types of air temperature. You can also work with CTS, a cabling company, who will sort out the details for you ensuring the safety and longevity of your system design. It is well worth the extra thought and effort to make sure your system is working properly and will continue to do so for years to come.
What types of terminal devices can be powered with IEEE 802.3bt? This system works in nearly every application – it will be useful for cameras, monitors, wireless access points, sensors and control systems, and building management features. From healthcare to industrial, IEEE 802.3bt has a purpose.

IEEE 802.3bt has a lot to offer, when the cabling system is installed and designed correctly.