Power Over Ethernet Classes Comparison Chart

Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology offers electrical current for wired Ethernet LANs (local area networks) through ethernet cables. The current is just enough to have each device start and do its operation. This way data and electricity is carried by one cable rather than having separate power cord. This has tremendously helped with IP Security System installations.

Over the time, different PoE classes emerged to satisfy needs for different types of PoE devices. Here, we would like to give you a quick chart and explain what each PoE class power sourcing limitations are.

As always, we are here to help with any type of video surveillance system need. We have designed thousands of IP Security systems. A1 Security Cameras is boutique video surveillance with a team of experts with years of hands on experience. When we mean "hands on experience", we mean climbing up the ladder, running cables, testing security cameras of all sorts and designing all sorts of security systems for different scenarios. In layman's terms, we are more like Home Depot when it comes to security cameras. We have the expertise to help you make decision between brands, technologies, products.

Please do not hesitate to give us a call and we will do everything to design the right security camera system for you.

Power over Ethernet classes

Class	Type	Maximum power available at the Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE)	Power required by PoE class at the Powered Device (PD)
0	802.3af	15.4 W	0.44 - 12.95 W
1	802.3af	4.0 W	0.44 - 3.84 W
2	802.3af	7.0 W	3.84 - 6.49 W
3	802.3af	15.4 W	6.49 - 12.95 W
4	802.3at PoE+	30 W	12.95 - 25.5 W
N/A	High PoE	60 W (2 x 30 W)	51 W

802.3af, 802.3at and High PoE

Property	802.3af	802.3at	High PoE
Power available at Powered Device	12.95 W	25.50 W	51 W
Maximum power delivered by Power Sourcing Equipment	15.40 W	30 W	2 x 30 W
Voltage range	44.0 - 57.0 V	50.0 – 57.0 V	50.0 – 57.0 V
Voltage range (at PD)	37.0 – 57.0 V	42.5 – 57.0 V	42.5 – 57.0 V
Supported cable type	Cat 3 and Cat 5	Minimum Cat 5	Recommend Cat 6
Number of wire pairs used	2	2 or 4	4