What is PoE?

PoE, or Power Over Ethernet, is a common term used in reference to devices that can be powered via a properly enabled switch or router. PoE enables both signal and power to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for installation of electrical receptacles and power supplies that would otherwise be required to power certain devices.
PoE, also referred to as IEEE 802.3af, was the first standard ever developed for powering a device via ethernet. This standard enabled up to 15-watts of power to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable. The newest standard, IEEE 802.3at or PoE+, enables up to 25-watts of power to be transmitted over a single Ethernet cable. Each PoE device needs to be connected to a PoE or PoE+ network switch or router that does require a direct electrical connection to an outlet. PoE and PoE+ devices can be used with either PoE or PoE+ switch or router but will be limited by the standard of the device or the switch/router. For example, a PoE+ endpoint speaker can be connected to a PoE switch but it will only be able to get the maximum power the PoE switch is able to deliver, 15-watts. Consequently, a PoE endpoint speaker can be connected to a PoE+ switch but it will only get the maximum 15-watts that the endpoint is capable of receiving.

How does PoE/PoE+ Apply to Audio?

Many AtlasIED IP enabled endpoints have integrated amplifiers that are able to take the signal from the Ethernet cable as well as the power from the PoE/PoE+ switch and covert that into output power to drive the attached speaker via the onboard amplifier. A PoE+ IP enabled endpoint speaker will thus be able to generate more output than a PoE IP enabled endpoint speaker. This is important for larger areas or areas that have more ambient noise. This is why a PoE+ IP enabled endpoint speaker is a better choice than a standard IP phone. The speaker can cover much greater areas or overcome higher noise levels in order to make sure the message is heard intelligibly. It is important to remember that longer Ethernet cable runs will deliver less power from the switch as some of that power will be reduced over the length of the wire.

AtlasIED PoE+ and PoE Enabled Devices

Endpoint Speakers

• IP-SDMF PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone, LCD Display, and LED Flashers
• IP-SDM PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone and LCD Display
• IP-SDH PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Horn Speaker with Paging Microphone and LCD Display
• IP-SM PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone
• IP-HVP PoE+ Vandal and Weather Resistant Wall Mount IP Speaker
• IP-12SYSM PoE+ Indoor 1' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone
• IP-12SYSMF PoE+ Indoor 1' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone and LED Flasher
• IP-22SYSM PoE+ Indoor 2' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone
• IP-22SYSMF PoE+ Indoor 2' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone and LED Flasher
• I8SCMF+ PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone, LED Display, and LED Flashers
• I8SCM+ PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone and LED Display
• I8SCH+ PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Horn Speaker with Paging Microphone and LED Display
• I8SM+ PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone
• IHVP+ PoE+ Vandal and Weather Resistant Wall Mount IP Speaker
• I128SYSM+ PoE+ Indoor 1' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker with Paging Microphone
• I128SYS+ PoE+ Indoor 1' x 2' Suspended Ceiling Mount IP Speaker

Endpoint IP-to-Analog Gateway Controllers

• ZCM-V2+T PoE+ IP Addressable IP-to-Analog Gateway with Transformer
• ZC1PRO+T PoE+ IP Addressable IP-to-Analog Gateway with Transformer and Rack Mount Kit
• ZC2PRO+T PoE+ Dual IP Addressable IP-to-Analog Gateways with Transformers and Rack Mount Kit
• ZCM-V2+ PoE+ IP Addressable IP-to-Analog Gateway

Endpoint Displays

• IP-DDS PoE+ IP Compliant IP Dual Sided LCD Display With Speakers and LED Flasher
• IPDSC-DSE+ PoE+ IP Compliant IP Dual Sided LED Display With Speakers and LED Flasher
• IPDC-DSE+ PoE+ IP Compliant IP Dual Sided LED Display With LED Flasher
• IPDCM+ PoE+ Indoor Wall Mount LED Display with Integrated Microphone
• IPS-SIS PoE Wall Mount LED Strobe (SIP Enabled)

VoIP Paging Servers

• IPS-VPS PoE SIP VoIP Paging Server
• IPS-ZC4 PoE SIP IP-to-Analog Four Zone Gateway

Endpoint Amplifiers

• IED1542NA-C PoE 2-Channel Amplifier with CobraNet® Network Audio
• IED1542NA-D PoE 2-Channel Amplifier with Dante™ Network Audio
• IED1581NA-C PoE Single-Channel Amplifier with CobraNet® Network Audio
• IED1581NA-D PoE Single-Channel Amplifier with Dante™ Network Audio