Technology is an essential part of our everyday lives. These days, it's common for homes to be equipped with security cameras, smart sirens, ambient light sensors, and garage parking sensors.

These smart devices are connected via a local area network (LAN), often equipped with a PoE switch, allowing you to power all your Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Are you missing out as the newer PoE+ technology becomes the standard? Is it time to upgrade your current network? If so, is it worth it? Let's find out!

What is PoE?

Before jumping directly into PoE+, let's briefly discuss what PoE is to help those who are not familiar with the technology.

PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, and it's a technology that entered the market in the early 2000s. As the name suggests, PoE is used to power low-power devices over Ethernet cables. This means that low-power devices no longer require batteries or dedicated power adapters and electrical outlets to use the device.

PoE works by utilizing two of the four twisted pairs used in Ethernet cables to provide power while the other two transmit and receive data. PoE can deliver up to 15.4 watts of power, enough to power devices such as VoIP phones, IP cameras, and wireless access points.

Not every network is PoE capable, you need PoE rated equipment to use PoE. You can often find PoE-rated devices in the form of network switches, and sometimes even routers. There are also some networks that use PoE injectors to achieve PoE without a PoE rated switch.

What is PoE+?

PoE is a game changer! It reduces the need for power cords and dedicated power outlets for each low-power device connected to the network, allowing for neater installations and faster maintenance.

But as the technology continued to develop, PoE+ was introduced into the market. This newer and better version of PoE allows manufacturers to design devices that would not be possible with the 15.4 watt power limit.

PoE Plus basically works like the standard PoE protocol, but with double the power. Newer versions of PoE can deliver up to 30 watts, enough power for devices such as IP phones, biometric sensors, IP tracking cameras, and alarm systems.

To integrate PoE+ into your system, you'll need a PoE+ rated network switch or PoE injector and Cat5 Ethernet cable or better.

Although PoE+ is the current global standard, it does not mean that it is the latest PoE protocol.

The Future of Power over Ethernet: PoE++

PoE++ is the latest PoE protocol that uses up to four twisted pairs in an Ethernet cable to provide more power. PoE++ can be divided into two versions: Type 3 and Type 4. Type 3 delivers up to 60 watts, while Type 4 delivers 100 watts, enough power to power large monitors and some laptops!

Although PoE++ is already available, only a handful of IoT devices require more than 30 watts of power. There simply aren't enough devices on the market that can take advantage of the 100-watt capability of PoE++ Type 4. So unless it's for future proofing, you'll probably be happy to upgrade to PoE+.

Is it worth upgrading your current PoE system?

If your network currently implements standard PoE, upgrading your system to a newer version of PoE will open up many options to make your network even better. After all, PoE was introduced in the early 2000s to power simple devices. With all the innovations of the Internet of Things, you now have the option to enjoy a wide variety of modern smart devices.

However, upgrading your system doesn't always mean it's worth it. For example, the standard PoE protocol is still sufficient to power most basic IoT devices. Maybe you don't really like those fancy new alarm systems, video phones and door entry systems. Perhaps for you, a wireless access point, a simple alarm clock, and a VoIP phone are the only things you need to power.

Other factors to consider are cost and installation. If your network is small, upgrading your system from PoE to PoE+, or even to the latest PoE++ shouldn't be a problem. Even if you're not planning to build a fully functional smart home, an upgraded network is worth the upgrade in terms of future-proofing it.

However, if you do have a large and complex network, the cost and difficulty of installing new switches and cables may not be as cheap or easy as it would be on a small home network. In this case, you really have to hope that the benefits of the upgrade are worth it.

PoE vs. PoE+ vs. PoE++

So have you decided? When it comes to technology, upgrading your system is always inevitable, and at some point, you'll need to. But that doesn't always mean you should upgrade right away. Ultimately, the timing of upgrading your system will determine whether the upgrade is worth it.