Dictionary · Networking Hardware
Power over Ethernet
PoE — Power over Ethernet
Cabling · Beginner
A standard that carries electrical power along with data on twisted-pair Ethernet. Switches can power phones, cameras, and access points if the power budget allows.
The cable feeds both the bits and the watts. The switch has a limited power budget, so adding too many cameras can leave a device unpowered even when the data link is fine.
Example: A ceiling access point boots as soon as it is patched into a powered switch port, with no separate power brick.
Common misconception
- Not every switch port supplies power. The switch, the port, and the device all have to support a compatible standard.