What is the Voltage Output of Poe Switch?

In industrial network deployments, industrial PoE (Power over Ethernet) switches have become key components for connecting various devices, thanks to their ability to simultaneously transmit data and power. The PoE switch voltage output directly affects device compatibility, stability, and application range, making it a crucial parameter to consider during selection.

What is the standard voltage of a PoE switch

Among common industrial-grade PoE switch port output voltages, 48V is the most widely used. This stems from mainstream PoE standards such as IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at. IEEE 802.3af specifies an output voltage range of 44V to 57V, with a typical value of 48V. The 802.3at (PoE+) standard also specifies a similar output voltage range, typically also outputting 48V.

In industrial settings, higher requirements are placed on the electrical performance of equipment, including:

Long-distance transmission requirements: In large factories or outdoor parks, network cabling distances may exceed 100 meters. 48V DC voltage effectively reduces voltage loss during transmission, ensuring stable operation of terminal devices.

Strong anti-interference capability: High-voltage transmission is relatively stable and has stronger anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities.

Wide device compatibility: Most industrial cameras, control terminals, access points, and other devices support 48V power supply, providing greater flexibility and efficient system construction.

High safety: 48V complies with human safety DC voltage standards, balancing power efficiency and safety.

Therefore, industrial PoE switches almost universally adopt 48V standard output, not only meeting the power demands of various industrial devices but also offering reliability for long-term operation. However, PoE switches also support 24V DC input voltage. For example, Come-Star's 24V PoE switches are specifically designed for industrial environments where standard 48V power sources are hard to obtain. These switches use boost technology to efficiently convert wide-range 18–36V DC input to stable 48V PoE output, thus providing seamless power to devices compliant with IEEE 802.3af/at standards.

Do PoE switches support other voltage outputs?

Besides the standard 48V output, the market also offers some low voltage PoE switches, typically providing 24V or 12V non-standard outputs to meet certain special or customized needs. These devices are mainly used in retrofitting old systems or specific embedded scenarios.

24V PoE Switches

Common in certain industrial automation devices or older network cameras. Some industrial PoE switches offer 48V/24V switchable outputs to adapt to different terminal requirements.

12V PoE Switches

The output power is very low, suitable only for low-power devices such as sensors or small LEDs. The transmission distance is short, and voltage attenuation is significant, making it unsuitable for remote cabling. This is a non-mainstream configuration, and terminal device voltage requirements must be clearly confirmed before use.

Industrial PoE Switch Selection Advice

During actual selection, users are advised to consider the following factors based on the application scenario:

Operating temperature range (whether it supports -40°C ~ 75°C)

Power redundancy design (whether dual power input is supported)

Per-port power and total power budget Whether it is a managed PoE switch

Whether it supports IEEE 802.3af/at/bt standards

Summary

PoE technology greatly simplifies industrial network deployment, and the PoE switch voltage output determines its power supply capacity and device compatibility. The standard PoE 48 volt switch is the first choice in industrial applications, offering strong compatibility, stable transmission, and high safety. PoE switch 24V and PoE switch 48V are suitable for specific devices but must be used only after confirming terminal voltage requirements.

In actual deployment, a full understanding of PoE voltage standards and device power consumption matching will help build a safe, efficient, and sustainable industrial intelligent network system.