Spotlight: Power Over Ethernet

October 21, 2016

Power over Ethernet, or PoE for short, is a technology that is decades old. Ethernet cable has been around for over 40 years now. PoE refers to when both data and low voltage DC power are provided over the same Class 2, Category 5, or better, ethernet cable. The techniques for delivering power over ethernet have been standardized via the IEEE 802.3 family of standards. The newest standard, still under development, is intended to provide for greater energy efficiency and delivery of up to 100 watts. So why are so many people talking about PoE lately?  

There are a number of factors:

1. PoE offers substantial cost and labour savings

2. More power than ever before can be delivered over ethernet cables

3. There are more low power devices than ever before on the market, including LED lighting

4. These devices are sensing and controllable

5. These devices can be networked together

6. The data these devices generate can be uploaded into the cloud for further analysis that can return both greater energy savings and operational business efficiencies

Taken together, all of these advancements represent a huge business opportunity for electrical contractors as the world moves towards an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).  

What sort of devices?

Here is a list of 10 types of devices that represent work opportunities for electrical contractors:

  1. sensors
  2. controls
  3. lights
  4. Wi-Fi systems
  5. Li-Fi systems (data communication through light)
  6. network routers
  7. communications
  8. audio
  9. video
  10. security

What sort of functions? Here is a list of 10 functions that PoE devices can provide:

  • lighting
  • temperature
  • humidity
  • data
  • safety
  • access control and threat detection
  • occupancy
  • energy efficiency
  • operational effciency
  • location services

It’s not too late if you haven’t begun looking into low voltage work opportunities. Low powered device offerings and related services will continue to rapidly grow over the coming years. 

 

For more information on PoE, see the following online resources listed below: 

The last two articles were published in 2008 and are a bit dated, but they are still a useful primer.

 

This article was first published online by National Electrical Contractors Association, Business Development: www.necanet.org/contractor-resources/hot-topics/topic/article-view/neca-bizdev/2016/08/16/spotlight-power-over-ethernet.

 

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Clarification from ESA on Labour Mobility Updates Between Provinces

    Clarification from ESA on Labour Mobility Updates Between Provinces

    July 14, 2025 Effective July 1st, 2025, ESA implemented changes required under the Bill 2Protect Ontario Through Free Trade within Canada Act, 2025 and the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, introduced by the Government of Ontario. These legislative updates aim to reduce interprovincial barriers and support the mobility of qualified tradespeople across Canada. Out of Province Master Electrician… Read More…

  • Peerless Electric’s Journey: 86 Years of Canadian Manufacturing

    Peerless Electric’s Journey: 86 Years of Canadian Manufacturing

    July 4, 2025 The story of Peerless Electric begins in 1939, at the heart of Montreal, in a time of great global uncertainty. As the world edged toward war and economies struggled to recover from the Great Depression, a small group of innovators dared to dream big: to create lighting solutions that would stand the… Read More…

  • 2025 Industry Research Reveals How to Thrive in a Shifting Electrical and Automation Landscape

    2025 Industry Research Reveals How to Thrive in a Shifting Electrical and Automation Landscape

    July 4, 2025 EFC is proud to share its 2025 Industry Research report — a comprehensive look into the changing dynamics of the Canadian electrical and automation markets. This year’s report dives deep into the evolving expectations of customers as our industry navigates supply chain pressures, digital transformation, and sustainability demands. Based on input from… Read More…

  • The Growing Presence of Women in Quebec Construction Industry

    The Growing Presence of Women in Quebec Construction Industry

    July 4. 2025 The presence of women in the construction industry continues to grow in Quebec. In 2024, there were 7,885 women working in various trades. 3,589 Quebec contractors hired at least one woman on their construction sites, an all-time high. Of this number, nearly 480 companies operate in the electrical sector. The CMEQ salutes… Read More…


Changing Scene