The IEEE 802.3af standard was released in 2003 and is commonly referred to as Power over Ethernet (PoE). The standard defines the requirements for delivering power over Ethernet cabling. The intent of the standard is to simplify the installation and deployment of powered devices by using the existing Ethernet infrastructure. The IEEE 802.3at standard, released in 2009, is an extension of the IEEE 802.3af standard and is commonly referred to as PoE+. The major difference between the two standards is that the IEEE 802.3at standard increases the maximum power that can be delivered over an Ethernet cable from 15.4 watts to 30 watts.
Table of Contents
What are the IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at Standards?
The IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at standard are the international standards for local area networks (LANs). They were developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to provide a common set of specifications for Ethernet LANs.
The 802.3af standard, released in 2003, defines the physical layer and media access control (MAC) layer requirements for Ethernet LANs using twisted pair cabling. It is commonly referred to as “10/100BASE-T”.
The 802.3at standard, released in 2009, extends the capabilities of the 802.3af standard by adding support for higher data rates and greater power over longer distances. It is commonly referred to as “10/100/1000BASE-T”.
The Pros and Cons of the IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at Standards
The IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at standards are two of the most popular standards for Power over Ethernet (PoE). Both standards have their pros and cons, so it’s important to understand the difference between them before choosing a PoE solution.
IEEE 802.3af is the original PoE standard, released in 2003. It allows for up to 15.4W of power to be delivered over an Ethernet cable, enough to power most small devices such as VoIP phones or wireless access points. However, some newer devices require more power than what IEEE 802.3af can provide, which is where IEEE 802.3at comes in.
IEEE 802.3at, released in 2009, increases the maximum power delivery to 30W. This is enough to power most devices that require PoE, including some IP cameras and PTZ security cameras. However, there are a few devices that require even more power than what IEEE 802.3at can provide, such as certain LED lights or industrial sensors. For these devices, you’ll need a PoE++ solution that can deliver up to 60W of power.
So, what’s the best PoE standard for your needs? It really depends on what type of devices you’re trying to power. If you’re only powering small devices such as VoIP phones or wireless access points, then IEEE 802.3af will be sufficient. But if you’re looking to power larger devices such
Which Devices are Compatible with the IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at Standards?
The IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at standards are compatible with a variety of devices, including but not limited to:
-Computers
-Laptops
-Tablets
-Smartphones
– Wearable devices
-Internet of Things (IoT) devices
In order to ensure compatibility, always check with the device manufacturer to see if the device is compliant with the relevant IEEE standard.
Conclusion
The IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at standards are important for the development of Power over Ethernet (PoE) technologies. The standards define the requirements for PoE devices and specify the maximum power that can be delivered by a PoE system. By understanding these standards, engineers can develop PoE devices that are compatible with each other and can deliver the power required by different types of equipment.
