PoE vs. PoE+: What’s the Difference?

Though the main difference between PoE (Power over Ethernet) and PoE+ is the max amount of power provided.

One difference between PoE and PoE+ is the actual Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards themselves. PoE is 802.3af, while PoE+ is 802.3at. Currently, the max amount of power provided over Cat5 cabling is 15.4 watts for PoE and 25.5 watts for PoE+. But what does that mean for you?

If you’re trying to decide which system to use to pass power and data over your twisted pair Ethernet, you’ve come to the right place. Though the main difference between PoE (Power over Ethernet) and PoE+ is the max amount of power provided, your considerations may run deeper.