Nowadays, network is a basic need for every home to access LAN or WiFi networks. Sometimes we may encounter situations that come with adequate conditions to find or deploy a power outlet that is happened to close to the ready-to-install network devices, or so-called IP devices. To meet the increasing demands on easy cabling and flexible installation, PoE has become a more and more popular power networking solution to solve the power and network issues for edge IP devices. In this post, we are going to cover several quick ways for the owners to add the PoE to their home network by themselves easily and efficiently.
What is PoE? And Why We Use it?
PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, which enables the Ethernet cable to carry power simultaneously, that being said, only using a single Ethernet cable can deliver both power and network to the connected IP devices, such as IP cameras, wireless access points, or other non-PoE devices. In this way, it can save a dedicated outlet for the IP device with no need to deal with the power separately, providing a more flexible placement of the edge devices. Moreover, PoE features a low voltage safe connection, so the end-users are capable to finish the deployment by themselves with simple plug-and-play installation instead of dealing with the dangerous AC power.
Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) & Powered Device (PD)
Implementing what way to get PoE added to the existing network is largely determined by two things, one is the PSE(Power Sourcing Equipment), and the other is the PD(Powered Device).
PSE-It mainly defines those network devices that supply power to the connection. There are endspans( router, Ethernet switch, PoE switch, PoE NVR) and midspans PSE (PoE injector, PoE splitter).
PD-It generally implies the network devices that require to be powered. Numerous types of powered devices can make use of PoE technology to get power and network.
Both of them have PoE and non-PoE types. PoE actually can work well with non-PoE contributed to some specially designed devices, namely midspans(PoE injector and PoE splitter). Later, let’s get a closer look into them.
In fact, not all the network devices can utilize PoE as a power solution, except for the PoE-enabled powered devices(which certainly can work with PoE), especially the non-PoE devices that call for extra attention. Because PoE only can meet the applications requiring low voltage power supplying due to its twisted pairs cable structures that restrict with a maximum electric current in line over long distance travel. Up to now, thanks to the new PoE standard IEEE 802.3bt, PoE realizes a maximum electric current of 100 Wattage. Consequently, network devices with ultra high power consumption have few possibilities to receive both power and network via a single Ethernet cable because of deficient power. Furthermore, network devices don’t equip with an RJ45 Ethernet port certainly have no way to use PoE technology either.
Now, let’s get back to the point. Having confirmed that your plan to install network devices meets the above two requirements, you are able to select the matched ways that can help add PoE to your home network. Here we conclude three ways in total so as to fit different applications or situations.
Use PoE Injector to Save Money
Provided one or two PoE powered devices need to add to the existing networking system, and then you don’t want to deal with the power and network cabling separately, as a result, you turn to PoE-enabled powered device for help, for instance installing a PoE camera at the garage or place a PoE wireless access point at the shed. While most homes only equip with a router or Ethernet switch to serve networks and communications at the previous time before PoE routers or PoE switches become common, or which is only under a consideration on the budget. That means the PSE in your home fails to provide PoE capability for supplying the PoE-enabled powered devices.
Naturally, the solution should replace the existing non-PoE PSE, and purchase a new PoE router or PoE switch that is equipped with PoE port to work perfect with the PoE powered devices. But as mentioned at the beginning, only one or two PoE powered devices need to be added. Some people may think that the existing PSE still can work well with no damage, directly replace it is quite a waste to some extent. And only one or two new powered devices, it is not so cost-efficient to buy a new PoE router or PoE switch. Especially when an NVR is already installed for video surveillance.
Luckily, the occurrence of the PoE injector gives you chance to keep the old router or Ethernet switch and saves the money to purchase a new PoE switch that is much expensive. Because PoE injector, as midspan, it is a tool that helps inject power to link without breaking the original data. With a proper connection, and power and network can be transmitted to the PoE powered device normally and perfectly. The PoE injector just works the same as the endspans, like router or Ethernet switch, it needs to be powered by plugging the adaptor into the wall power outlet to start working. Want to know more information about PoE injectors, you can read the post of Comprehensive Knowledge Base about PoE Injector.
Add PoE Splitter to Benefit Non-PoE Devices
Having talked about the situation that lacking a PoE-compatible PSE to serve PoE powered device, what if the situation is inverse. When if there is one or two non-PoE devices suppose to install at place where is hard to access dedicated power outlet, a PoE NVR(or PoE router, PoE switch) has been already in place.
There are two common doubts that stuck the installers mostly. On the one hand, they are concerned about whether the non-PoE device can be connected to the PoE port directly. In other words, they just wonder is there any damage caused. Actually, it won’t generate harm if adopting a standard PoE PSE with detection and power handshake. Once a powered device is connected to the PoE port, a few amounts of power will be released firstly to detect if the powered device is PoE-compatible. If not, only the network will be received by the powered device. On the other hand, some want to know whether is any way can make their non-PoE network devices receive both power and network from the main network over a single Ethernet cable. Because it is impossible or extremely difficult to power them with a local AC outlet. In this situation, PoE splitter is supposed to be the best answer.
PoE splitter works just in the opposite with regard to the PoE injector. PoE splitters receive power and network from the main network, and it can split power from the PoE, so power and network can be streamed to the non-PoE powered device with two separate cables. Unlike PoE injector, PoE splitter powered by PoE, eliminating an extra AC outlet and give high flexibility on installation.
Combine PoE Injector and PoE Splitter
To be honest, PoE injector and PoE splitter generally work together to add PoE to the home network. There are a few different applications that tend to adopt this way.
Both PSE and PD are non-PoE
Above we discussed the cases that only one end lacks PoE capability, either the PSE is non-PoE, or the PD is non-PoE, sometimes both ends don’t support PoE. And the solution is simple and easy to understand. Only add a PoE injector at the main network end, and add a PoE injector at the edge end. These two devices can work perfectly by injecting PoE and then split it. Most of applications IEEE802.3 af/at can meet the power need, while for some power hungry powered devices, a higher power is required, you can use the 95W PoE injector and 95W PoE splitter which comply with IEEE802.3bt standard to supply a remained 71W max. power.
Utilize long distance PoE extension
Sometimes the deployment distance is long and over 100 meters where Ethernet cable can’t reach and utilize PoE extender or other PoE extension tool to get Ethernet or PoE extended and reach a longer distance for the remotely powered devices. You may ask it supposes none of the business of the PoE injector and the PoE splitter if only desire an extended LAN network from a non-PoE PSE to a non-PoE PD, but the fact is what you think is a completely a misconception to PoE. You should make clear that PoE extension tool, take the PoE extender as an example, is a PoE enabled device, if the back end is non-PoE device, how does the PoE extender receive power? Indeed the whole connection won’t make sense if there is no PoE offered to the PoE extender, not to said supply network to non-PoE powered device. Therefore, when using the PoE extension tool for Ethernet extension, it is important to add PoE injector and PoE splitter at both ends.
