When it comes time to install a security system with video, set up a new internet phone system or properly configure a network with routers and wireless access points, you’ll be faced with making the big decision of whether to use PoE — Power over Ethernet — or a less expensive alternative.
Making the choice isn’t always easy, though there are often features you might desire, or a tight budget, that dictate the use of one over the other. 

What is PoE?

In order to understand your options, you may need a crash course in PoE. This option of providing power via an Ethernet cable can cut down dramatically on the number of wires you have to install. When both data and power travel over one twisted-pair cable, you have less to set up and fewer wires to hide. Because Ethernet sends two complementary signals, the power doesn’t interfere with the data connection. 
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) set the standards for how this technology works; you can reference IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.bt for more information. The different standards allow different power budgets for each device. 
Essentially, these standards permit the use of Cat5e and Cat6 Ethernet cables to carry 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps of data and 15W, 30W, 60W, and even 90W of power to compatible devices. Distances for all the standards are capped at 100 meters.
You’ll usually see PoE used in networking video cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless routers, though its use is growing.

What’s the Difference Between a PoE and a Non-PoE Switch?

A switch is simply a networking device that learns MAC addresses and forwards frames to the correct interface. If a switch uses PoE, that means that it also carries power in addition to data. You’ll usually see these switches identified as 8/12/24/48 port Gigabit PoE switch or unmanaged and managed PoE network switch; this just refers to different types of switch designs. 

When Should You Use a PoE Switch?

There are several advantages to using PoE switches.

Faster, cheaper installation. 

Without the need to simultaneously install electrical cabling, networked devices that use PoE can be completed more quickly and less expensively. There’s no need for additional cable installed by a qualified electrician.

Better performance.

In most cases, PoE switches incorporate more advanced hardware and software to adapt to the environment and maintain network security. Most PoE switches can automatically sense whether an added component is fully compatible, reducing the need for configuration.

Wider range of options for positioning devices. 

Because you don’t need to install a nearby electrical outlet or consider the proximity of outlets to place a camera or access point, you’re much less boxed into placement. Position the cameras where they give the best view and place the access of phones, and wireless devices where they make the most sense.

Increased safety features.

Power is delivered more efficiently to PoE devices, and you won’t have to worry about accidentally destroying an expensive component because you overloaded the cable or, conversely, not having the system work properly because it’s underpowered. This adds to the ease of installation, as well.

Much more scalable.

Let’s say you decide to add a few more IP cameras to better cover your commercial space. That’s relatively easy to do when you only have to run one additional cable and not worry about where the power source is located. Network connections can be easily distributed to make changes easy and cheap. In addition, you can integrate non-PoE switches with a PoE system if you have a few legacy components that don’t need power but that you want to continue using.

Additional reliability

With fewer parts to the system, there’s less to go wrong. Power comes from one source, not many, leaving fewer components where an error may occur. It’s also easier to add a back-up power supply for an entire system rather than for each device.

When Would a Non-PoE Switch Make Sense to Use?

When would you use a non-PoE switch? The main reasons are because:

• one is already in place and works with data-only devices, and it’s not worth changing over;
• you have a tight budget and non-PoE switches are less expensive; or
• you are replacing an existing non-PoE switch and aren’t ready to upgrade the entire system.

How Can You Upgrade to PoE Switches?

It’s often simpler than you think to make the change to PoE switches. Because PoE switches automatically detect compatibility, you can just plug them in and let them enable power over Ethernet to devices that require electricity. 
You can use a midspan, or PoE injector, to make a non-PoE connection work with a mostly PoE system. Midspans provide the most flexibility because you can route each network connection through one, and it will control power automatically.
PoE switches are available for a wide range of needs, from simple networks to more complex and sophisticated options that serve commercial or enterprise requirements.