No. The simple answer is that PoE is not dangerous. People have misconceptions about whether the PoE will damage their devices over time. That’s not true at all. However, taking some safety measures for AC and DC power would be best.

PoE authorizes 95 watts of power to your equipment, such as laptops, computers, IP cameras, etc. Whenever you use the RJ45 connector and link it to the Ethernet port, you can achieve the power as per the device from the Power over Ethernet. However, there are two concepts to be concluded here about the PoE.

Suggested Reading: How PoE was born？

Active PoE

Maybe you haven’t heard of active or passive PoE ever before.

Active PoE or standard PoE refers to the Power over Ethernet technology that monitors the power over the network. It mediates the control between the power supply and the power device to provide the necessary power to the power device.

Remember, active PoE is standard PoE technology. It follows the IEEE standards of 802.3 and supplies the power to the devices. So, you can expect the following types of active PoE.

• PoE 802.3af
• PoE 802.3at
• PoE 802.3bt

Most networks in significant buildings and enterprises comprise the standard PoE technology.

Suggested Reading: What is a PoE standard?

Passive PoE

Passive PoE is also a PoE technology but not a standard PoE.

Passive PoE technology doesn’t mediate the power communication between the power device and power supply equipment. It only sends the power passively without focusing on whether the device is compatible.

Moreover, passive PoE technology doesn’t follow any PoE standards designed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering(IEEE). When using passive PoE technology, you don’t have to worry about whether the device is PoE-compatible or not.

Active PoE vs. Passive PoE: Which one is dangerous for devices?

By comparing both types of PoE, some points are obvious:

• Active PoE follows the IEEE standards 802.3, which determine the value of voltage, route, and how exactly the voltage transmission will occur over four paired copper wires of Ethernet. Passive PoE doesn’t follow any IEEE standards. So, it doesn’t monitor the power and voltage.

In passive PoE technology, you can expect power losses and voltage surges that will eventually destroy your equipment. Thus, passive PoE is dangerous, while active PoE is relatively safe.

Another supporting point is given:

• Active PoE only supplies power to PoE-compatible devices. If the device is non-PoE, no power runs through the wires. In contrast, passive PoE only sends the passive power regardless of the device, whether PoE or non-PoE. That means power runs through the wire every time.

Since power is running through the passive PoE, it might short-circuit and produce the “Magic smoke.” It is due to voltage shorts leading to vaporization and heating devices. So, passive PoE can be dangerous.

Which one should you choose?

Always choose the safe PoE—standard PoE or active PoE. This will optimize the power and give you control over the network.

HoweVision Professional has all components related to PoE, including switches, injectors, etc.