Power Over Ethernet for Touchpanel PCs

What is Power Over Ethernet, and Who Can Benefit From It?

Put simply, Power Over Ethernet is exactly what it sounds like – powering ethernet connected devices via ethernet cables, and through ethernet ports. Properly configured devices can be powered this way, provided that they’re connected to a properly configured ethernet network, which is also surprisingly simple to set up. This eliminates the need for complex and expensive multi-wire power supply setups, saving engineering and installation technician time, and simplifying device complexity. But it’s not quite as simple as plugging in any Ethernet cable into any device – and some implementations of Power Over Ethernet may benefit more than others. So what is it, and how is it best used?

How Power Over Ethernet Works

Twisted Pair Ethernet cabling, commonly known as Cat 5, has been around for years – since long before any type of Ethernet. Twisted pair cabling originally found use in office and commercial telephone systems that needed more data capacity than a standard phone line offered, for call transfers, holding, and navigating internal telephone systems with extensions. Because of this, most office buildings, home offices, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings were equipped with twisted pair cabling when the networked computer age arrived in the late 1980’s.

Like any other cable with two or more wires, Cat 5 or other ethernet cabling is able to conduct not just data, commonly conducted as a signal vs ground, but also complete positive/negative electrical power. Because twisted pair and gigabit ethernet  uses differential signaling, that is, the difference between the current in a pair or group of conducting wires, it doesn’t interfere with the transmission of data to include power over the ethernet signal line.

What Type of Equipment does Power Over Ethernet Require?

Virtually any ethernet system can be configured to offer Power Over Ethernet – the basic implementation is as simple as including some type of Power Sourcing Equipment at some point along the ethernet line. Often, this is the network switch, in which case the PSE will be referred to as the Endspan. It is also possible to add POE to an ethernet system by including a power sourcing device somewhere between the switch and devices, called a Midspan. In either case, power is provided as DC power to devices down the line.

Modern switches and midspans are able to detect whether devices are PoE enabled, and provide power only when needed, preventing damage to non PoE devices and saving energy to unused or non-active ports. For powered ports, up to 71W of power at up to 57V are available, depending on the type of cabling and implementation, providing plenty of power for most computers and even some low-draw mechanical devices.

Powering Touchpanel PCs over Ethernet – What’s the Benefit?

Quickly, all-in-one touch panel PCs are appearing everywhere. They’re replacing buttons, dials, and switches in industrial equipment controls. They’re appearing in kiosks and displays, replacing maps and information guides with interactive learning centers. They’re appearing in full-service, fast-casual, and fast-food restaurants, allowing people to make orders and offer payment in a way that frees staff up for food preparation and custodial duties. You’ll find touch panel PCs in gaming machines, doctor’s offices, schools, and appliances in your own home, indoors and out.

Often times, these touchpanel PCs are installed as part of updates in buildings and equipment, or in new appliances that have restrictive sizes or designs. In these cases, going back through and adding separate power cabling, with its specialized safety regulations, may be very expensive or impossible. Adding an entire new circuit to a new appliance design could push the price above what the market will bare. Or there may be a dozen other reasons why adding a separate power supply isn’t suitable where touch panel PCs are being integrated. In these cases, Power Over Ethernet offers a simple, fast, space-saving, power-saving solution.

Estone Technology offers a variety of touchpanel PCs with Power Over Ethernet functionality. If you think POE makes sense for your product or implementation, contact us to learn more.