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(although IEEE 802.3af refers to it as endpoint). Otherwise, if it's an intermediary
device between a non PoE capable switch and a PoE device, it's called a Mid-span.
An external PoE injector is a Mid-span device.
Powered device
A powered device (PD) is a device powered by a PSE and thus consumes energy.
Examples include wireless access points, IP Phones, and IP cameras. Many powered
devices have an auxiliary power connector for an optional, external, power supply.
Depending on the PD design, some, none, or all power can be supplied from the
auxiliary port, with the auxiliary port sometimes acting as backup power in case of
PoE supplied power failure.
How Power is Transferred Through the Cable
A standard CAT5 Ethernet cable has four twisted pairs, but only two of these are
used for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T. The specification allows two options for using
these cables for power, shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3:
The spare pairs are used. Figure 2 shows the pair on pins 4 and 5 connected
together and forming the positive supply, and the pair on pins 7 and 8 connected
and forming the negative supply. (In fact, a late change to the spec allows either
polarity to be used).
POWER SOURCING
EQUIPMENT (PSE)
+
-
48V
18
4
5
SPARE PAIR
1
TX
2
SIGNAL PAIR
3
RX
6
SIGNAL PAIR
7
8
SPARE PAIR
Figure 1 - Power Supplied over the Spare Pins
POWERED DEVICE
(PD)
4
5
1
RX
2
DC / DC
3
Converter
Converter
TX
6
7
8
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