Ethernet Alliance Announces New Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3bt Standard and New Certification Program

The Ethernet Alliance, the global consortium dedicated to the continued success and advancement of Ethernet technologies, hailed the ratification of IEEE 802.3bt, IEEE Standard for Ethernet - Amendment 2: Power over Ethernet (PoE) over 4 Pairs. Among other additions, the newly ratified specification introduces four new classes and increases maximum power levels supplied by a factor of three. The new standard sets stage for robust Power over Ethernet market growth as the consortium readies second-generation product certification program.

As many manufacturers including Apple, Google, and Samsung standardize on USB Type-C (USB-C) with the new Power Delivery (PD) protocol, CoolGear and PoE Texas have joined forces to combine USB-C with PD and Power Over Ethernet, significantly lowering the cost of adopting USB-C by eliminating the need for new electrical infrastructure. In early 2018, PoE Texas will launch the POE-USBC-Kit and the AT-USBC-Kit with everything needed to use USB-C PD over Ethernet.