IEEE 802.3af Vs IEEE 802.3at: What Is The Difference?

What Is Power Over Ethernet (PoE)?

PoE (Power Over Ethernet) is the name of a number of standard or adhoc systems which passes electric power along with data on twisted pair Ethernet cabling (UTP/FTP cables).  This allows a single cable to provide both data connection and electric power to devices. This is why it is possible to power devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, switches, wireless access points etc.

There are several common methods for transmitting power over Ethernet cabling. Three of them have been standardized by IEEE 802.3 since 2003. Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a networking feature defined by the IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at standards. PoE lets Ethernet cables supply power to network devices over the existing data connection. PoE standards have been optimized to safe voltage ranges and the device must communicate according to the established procedures.

PoE-enabled devices can be powered sourcing equipment (PSE), Power devices (PDs) or sometimes both. The device that transmits power is a PSE, while the device that is powered is a PD. Most PSEs are either network switches or PoE injectors intended for use with non-PoE switches. Common examples of PDs include VoIP phones, wireless access points and IP cameras.

Depending on the location in the transmission path where the power supply is combined with the data, the power-injection device can be divided into 2 groups:

• PoE switches( endspam)
• PoE adapters (midspam)

802.3af (PoE Type 1)

802.3af refers to the point at which the 802.3 committee approved clause (June 12^th 2003). This clause is entitled Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) power via Media Department Interface (MDI) and defines the characteristics of the Powered Device (PD) and the Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE). 802.3af applies to the MDI interfaces 10BaseT, 100BaseT and 1000BaseT interfaces only running on 100Ω balanced cable. The MDI interface also acts as a Powered Interface (PI). What this means is that, network device (PD) may be powered, as well as communicate via the LAN interface (PI), receiving this power from a LAN switch (endpoint PSE) or inline alternative (Midspan PSE).

What You Need To Know About 802.3af

1. Also known as PoE or PoE Standard, IEEE 802.3af was ratified in 2003.
2. It provides up to 15.4 watts of DC power per port.
3. IEEE 802.3af is commonly used to power devices like IP phones, wireless access points, and IP cameras.
4. Devices designed to work with IEEE 802.3af will typically not support power requirements beyond 15.4 watts.

IEEE 802.3at (PoE Type 2)

IEEE 802.3at standard defines two types of PoE implementation:

• Option A: power is sent together with the data on pairs ½ and 3/6.
• Option B; power is sent on pairs 4/5 and 7/8 (unused in Fast Ethernet networks, in the case of Gigabit Ethernet the pairs are used both for data and power transmission).

Also, in regard to the transmitted power and data rates, the IEEE 802.3at standard comprises of two versions:

• Type 1: for devices compliant with 802.3af and with power transmission employing 2 pairs of min Cat 3 cable, with max output power of 12.95 W.
• Type 2: with maximum output power 30 W, transmitted via min Cat 5 cable.

What You Need To Know About 802.3at

• Also known as PoE Plus, IEEE 802.3at was ratified in 2009 as an extension to IEEE 802.3af.
• It provides higher power levels compared to IEEE 802.3af, delivering up to 30 watts of DC power per port.
• IEEE 802.3at is suitable for devices with higher power requirements, such as PTZ cameras, VoIP conference phones, and some small network switches.
• Devices designed to work with IEEE 802.3at are typically backward compatible with IEEE 802.3af, meaning they can be powered by either IEEE 802.3af or IEEE 802.3at switches.

Also Read: Difference Between Cell Splitting And Cell Sectoring

Difference Between 802.3af And 802.3at In Tabular Form

IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at are both standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, which allows for the transmission of electrical power along with data over standard Ethernet cables.

Benefits Of PoE Technology

• PoE enables mounting of devices in areas where it is practically impossible to install power such as drop ceilings.
• Use PoE can reduce the number of cables and electrical outlets needed in a crowded equipment room or wiring closet.
• PoE makes installing or expanding a network much simpler and cheaper in buildings where it is too expensive or inconvenient to install new power lines.
• PoE saves you money on purchasing and running cable for networking equipment and VoIP phones because PoE allows you to use one cable for both power and data transmission.
• High security and reliability- in a typical conditions, the risk of electrical shock is not high (the voltage is below 60 V) and the technology involves auto-testing procedures.
• With PoE technology, there is protection of devices not compliant with the standard.
• There is compatibility with older versions.