In all areas (residential, tertiary, industrial), connectivity needs are exploding at the same time as a multitude of connected objects are emerging. The future lies in the use of the data transmitted by these objects to pilot the building proactively and predictively. It’s the IoT ( Internet of Things), the Internet of Things. PoE lighting technology perfectly supports this development; it makes it possible to collect large quantities of data but also, for example, to converge within a closed network the data from several distinct buildings. The trend is so strong that the American Cisco Systems and the Dutch Philips Lighting recently signed a partnership to develop equipment and solutions for the future in the field of office lighting, almost all backed by PoE technology.
Can PoE and non-PoE devices be used in my network?
Yes it is indeed possible to use PoE devices in a network with non-PoE devices. However, non-PoE devices cannot power Powered Device equipment (i.e. devices that are not suitable for powering at low current), nor can they be powered by PSEs. Non-PoE devices must have a separate power source.
What are the advantages ?
- POE also makes it possible to use a single cable for data transmission. This reduces the cost of purchasing as well as deploying cables for network equipment.
- POE technology makes it easier to install and/or extend the network and also to reduce costs in structures.
- The use of POE allows the installation of a device in a certain place, in particular where the installation of a power supply is impossible or very little recommended.
- Using PoE can reduce the number of cables and electrical outlets needed in a cluttered room of equipment or in a wiring closet.
NFC ethernet access control
We have developed an innovative secure access control solution that has many advantages:
The advantage of our solution
- reduced cabling cost because a single Ethernet cable can power and control our peripherals;
- no processing unit (UTL), access management is done at the server level;
- security: the strike relays are remote from the readers;
- flexibility and scalability: adding, moving affluent readers;
- turnkey solution (entirely developed by ODALID);
Badge reading and strike control
Our badge readers collect information from contactless cards and/or NFC telephones to send them to a server. The latter will control the strike driver card.
The Badge reader and the control card are both equipped with a POE Ethernet interface which facilitates wiring and management. The reader can read the majority of 13.56MHz contactless cards on the market as well as phones equipped with NFC technology. While the control card has 3 relays and 3 inputs to be able to connect door strikes, opening button etc.
It’s time to get started!
PoE, which consists of passing electrical power via an Ethernet cable, is not a new technology: the first standard governing it dates back to 2003. Since then, building management (BMS) professionals have become familiar PoE installations, especially for large office buildings. The publication at the end of 2018 of a new international standard which extends its uses will make PoE part of the daily life of all integrator installers.
PoE, what is it?
“The principle of Power over Ethernet (PoE) is that an Ethernet cable is used to transport power, explains Christophe Laveuve, head of the technical design office at Phibor Entreprises. In a PoE installation, a single cable allows management and control operations as well as the power supply of PoE compatible equipment. The cumulative power of the equipment connected to a 4-pair cable can be up to 100 W, under a voltage of less than 60 V. The equipment can be very varied: video surveillance cameras, LED lighting, wifi access points, payment terminals , badge readers, video projection screens, control boxes for blinds, heating or air conditioning systems, etc. »
Simple, modular, economical
“With PoE, you can install and control equipment without being constrained by the proximity of a power supply,” adds Christophe Laveuve. This gives great freedom of deployment while greatly simplifying the management of this equipment. In an office building, for example, creating an additional meeting room only requires changing the Ethernet cabling of the PoE end devices and some programming. The economic gain is significant: approximately 40% less wiring, no power supply, no meter, no electro-mechanical protection. That said, the 100 W power limit tends towards high-performance equipment; it is then necessary to ensure the balance between savings made and possible additional costs linked to this move upmarket of equipment. »
Power over Ethernet (PoE) and building IP
Literally “Power over Ethernet”, PoE consists, like the PLCs above, of using only one cable to pass both power and control. But the approach here is very different because it involves taking an Ethernet control cable (RJ45 type) and passing the maximum current by taking advantage in particular of the unused wires.
This technique makes it possible to pass low powers (15W as standard, 30W in PoE+ version and 90W in PoE++) and can therefore be sufficient to power lights. PoE is one of the possibilities for having IP-connected luminaires (the first LED power supplies with IP protocol arrived in 2017), with wireless (with the Thread protocol for example) and PaE (Power and Ethernet, that’s say standard 230V 3-wire power cable and RJ45).
Types of High Power PoE Applications
As we mentioned in the previous part, the heat-up happens with high-power PoE cabling. Driven by the need for higher power worldwide, new PoE technology is expected to advance to enable new PoE markets and expand the scope of PoE to existing and high-power-requiring markets. Applications that take advantage of high-power PoE technology include:
- High definition pan, tilt and zoom security cameras
- Retail POS systems and digital signage
- High Performance Wireless Access Points
- Kiosks
- Precautions to Take to Minimize Overheating of PoE Cabling
Ultimately, the overheating problem can be attributed to cable/conductor construction and specific installation situations. The following suggestion to minimize the heating of PoE cabling or LED Lighting Control will be listed exhaustively from these 6 aspects.
1- Use higher category cabling
In general, the higher the cable category, the lower the heat. Higher category cabling has been proven to correlate with low temperatures after testing several types of fiber optic cables in different categories. For new PoE installations, it is recommended to use Cat6A cables.
2- Choose wiring with a larger conductor (lower gauge number)
Overheating can be the result of conductor resistance in PoE applications. Indeed, the larger the conductor, the more it resists and allows an easier flow of current and therefore generates less heat.
3- Choose cable connectors with a solid metal body
Consider using connectors with all-metal bodies rather than plastic. Compared to thermoplastic coating materials, metal has higher conductivity and performs better in terms of heat dissipation.
4- Choose cables with a reduced size bundle
By measuring the temperature of a large wire harness and the smaller wire harnesses separated from the large one, it is noticed that the core of the large wire harness is hotter than that of the smaller ones. It is therefore recommended to leave the cables unbundled to facilitate better heat dissipation. If this is not possible, it is recommended to reduce the size of the bundles.
5- Install shielded wiring
It has been claimed that the existence of a metal shield or foil helps to dissipate heat. If the cable uses foil shielding around each pair, it will provide better heat dissipation qualities than unshielded twisted pair cables. Therefore, S/FTP or F/UTP cables are more applicable than UTP cabling systems in PoE applications.
6- Plan PoE cable management
Bundle your cables as loosely as possible instead of bundling them all together. We suggest using cable management tools that allow for better airflow.