EuropeOn’s Technical Working Group has been striving to get ahead on Power over Ethernet, an emerging technology with great potential for the building sector but also for electrical contractors worldwide, and produce an up-to-date technical installation guide.
Led by EuropeOn French member association FFIE, this guide is the first of its kind and will support installers across Europe in entering this promising market.
With climate and environmental concerns moving to the top of political agendas, and lockdown measures highlighting the need for smart buildings, this sector is poised to undergo major changes in the years to come.
The shift towards smart and sustainable buildings will be underpinned by widespread digitalisation of the built environment. Smart and digital buildings are the keystone for energy management, demand response and decentralised energy services.
And this is where technologies such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) come into play. PoE is particularly interesting in this regard as it allows for the transmission of both electricity and data on the same cable. With PoE, electrical and Internet of things devices can be powered and managed simultaneously. Further, this will also allow for better communication between smart devices and facilitated data harvesting.
One simple example of how PoE can lead to more efficiency is the reduced need for AC/DC conversions. PoE enables the direct transmission of DC power to electric devices, meaning that power converters, such as the ones you’ll find on your computer’s charger or inside your TV, are not needed anymore. Further, there is no need to invert power from onsite renewables in view of self-consumption, adding to the efficiency gains.
PoE installations offer a wider breath of benefits:
- PoE installations require 20-30% less copper
- PoE allows for continuous measurements of performance leading to regular efficiency improvements
- Continuous monitoring also enables better anticipation and maintenance of installations
- Buildings with PoE are better suited to accommodate Building Automation and Control System and energy management retrofits
- Reduced AC/DC conversions lead to more energy efficiency
- Increased fire safety for occupants
- Facilitates the prosumer model and smart energy solutions
This guide is only available to EuropeOn members.
Our French member FFIE, lead author of the guide, has released a short presentation video (in French).
For an English version, have a look at this webinar held by our English member, ECA, for their member companies.
