INDUSTRY COMMENT: ECA
By ECA’s digital building soluons advisor, Darren Smith
or the electrotechnical sector, Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology offers a number of benefits. Chief among them is the ability to run electrical power through an Ethernet cable alongside data. Devices which are PoE capable can therefore be connected to both a power source and a network through a single cable. With IoT networks predicted to grow exponentially, power and data infrastructures will become increasingly complex. Clients will very soon need a solution that converges both power and data – which is why PoE will most likely shape the network ecosystem of tomorrow.
To thrive in this new environment, electrical designers and installers will need to have a solid grasp of the frameworks, lexicons and regulations surrounding PoE and IoT networks.
IoT expansion
The rapid digitalisation of industry, smart buildings, data centres, and energy grids offers businesses huge potential to turn data into business opportunity.
According to research company Gartner, there will be more than 20 billion Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices installed around the world by 2020, while Industrial IoT (connected devices in factories, warehouses etc) is expected to add
PoE: Doing more with data and power F
an astonishing £10.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Futureproof cables
Although PoE has been around for some time, until recently the technology was only capable of powering small devices with a low power demand of 15.4W to 30W, such as keypads, telephones, or alarm systems. However, the last few years have seen PoE technology develop to such an extent that one cable can provide up to 100W of power as well as high-speed data, extending the reach of PoE to computers, televisions, high-power wireless networks, LED lighting, and more. Eventually, PoE is set not only to underpin the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), but it may go on to encompass the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. PoE Standards have evolved considerably over the years, from IEEE 802.3af or Type 1, with a power budget of 15.4W per device, to IEEE 802.3bt or Type 4, with a power budget of 90-95W per device. Progress with PoE is continual. Manufacturers are now producing PoE systems that minimise power losses across the length of the power chain, from conversion at the PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE) output, through to delivery to the powered device (PD), and conversion back to the various required voltages.
BSEE
Furthermore, significant efficiency (and cost) savings are possible when PoE is used on IoT networks in Building Energy Management Systems – a key consideration for building managers and electricians alike.
More (DC) power to you…
The electrotechnical JPEL64 BSI Committee continues to work for the inclusion of DC power over IT cables for Part 7 of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). ECA is closely involved in this work, and we will update ECA Members and ECAtoday readers as we make progress in this increasingly important arena.
In addition, ECA has set up a Digital Infrastructure Focus Group for the Structured Data Cabling community. The first Group meeting took place in April and it included some of the top companies in the UK Data Communications sector. For more information about this Focus Group and opportunities to join the next meeting, visit
www.eca.co.uk/datacomms
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2019 9
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