PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++ Switches - Know the Real Difference

Power over Ethernet or PoE technology finds uses in almost all industrial segments pertaining to business networks. This is because the technology enables data and power transmission over a single cable through separate lines. PoE is mainly designed for wired Ethernet as well as fiber optic networks. As far as fiber optic networks are concerned, you can connect a PoE switch and use a media converter along with it for transmission signal conversion. PoE is gaining momentum owing to the simplicity and efficiency it assures, and saves on external electric supplies for powering devices. Like other technologies, POE is administered through several PoE devices, such as PoE switches. There are different versions of Power over Ethernet switches in use today – PoE switches, PoE+ switches, and PoE++ switches. Would you like to know more about these switches? If that sounds yes, then this post answers everything about these devices. So, stay tuned.

A Quick Overview of PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ Switches

Before getting into their differentiating factors, it is important to know about each of these switches. After the initial development and implementation of PoE switches, which are still in use, PoE+ and PoE++ were developed as better versions of the former.

• PoE Switches : Introduced in 2003 and covered under the IEEE 802.3af standard, the PoE switch has in-built Power over Ethernet functionality. These switches supply power to network devices using two out of four pairs of Ethernet cables, like the Cat6 cable. If there are distributed switches in your network, it is possible to get PoE pass-through switches. PoE switches can also pass power to end devices such as phones, cameras, and so on. Most of the 802.3af switches can deliver 15.4 watts over an Ethernet cable with a voltage ranging from 44v to 57v. These switches are used in various commercial, residential, indoor and outdoor applications.


• PoE+ Switches : As the name suggests, it is an advanced version of PoE technology developed and published in 2009 by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 802.3at standard). In many cases, power devices within the network require more PoE wattage up to 12.95, and, PoE+ is the best solution that supports a higher power consumption requirement. Like a PoE network switch, PoE+ supplies power over two pairs. But, it has an additional power class that can deliver power watts up to 25.5 with a voltage range varying from 42.5v to 57v. A PoE+ network switch can supply maximum power of 30W with a voltage range from 50v to 77v. PoE+ switches are known to have backward compatibility, which means these switches will support the devices usually supported by PoE.


• PoE++: PoE++ network switch is the next generation of PoE+ technology. It is designed to provide power to broader device applications. It is classified into two different types – PoE++ type 3 and PoE++ type 4. Type 3 powered switches can hit 51 watts with a voltage range from 42.5v to 57v. Type 4 switches enable four twisted pairs in a copper cable to deliver power up to 71 watts. Being an upgraded version of the PoE network switch and PoE+ switch, PoE++ can hit 60 watts on each port under PoE++ type 3 and up to 100 watts under the PoE++ type 4. These network switches are generally used for setting up management systems and making long distance calls.

• One of the major differences between PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ switches is the IEEE standards. A PoE switch is designed as per 802.3af, PoE+ as per 802.3at, and PoE++ as per 802.3bt.


• Next, Ethernet cabling is an important consideration when differentiating these switches. PoE switch use two pair twisted cables, and the same goes for the PoE+ network switch. On the other hand, PoE++ uses four pairs of twisted cables. 


• Differences among these switches lie in the maximum power supply delivered by each port and their working mode, which reflect on their applications. PoE switches are designed to support network devices that require a power supply of up to 15.4watts. The list includes sensors, meters, wireless access points, surveillance systems, and many more. PoE+ switches support devices such as video IP phones, wireless access points with multiple antennas, and complex surveillance cameras. PoE++ switches can support devices that need higher power wattage such as video conferencing system components and building management devices, laptops, televisions, and so on.