Mar 6 2007 -- PoE was a popular topic at last week's APEC. Here are some of the benefits tallied after to talking with Freescale, which has a PoE IC product line:
• You're only dealing with one set of wires, which simplifies installation and saves space.
• Your device is easily moved: Wherever there's an Ethernet jack, you can plug in.
• It's safer to hook up. No messing around with AC wiring, which most people avoid like the plague. Along with this, you don't have to hire an electrician, which saves time and money.
• A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) can guarantee power to your device even during main power failure. This is a huge benefit if your customer has to develop contingency plans for power outages.
• Your device can be managed, shut down or reset remotely, eliminating the need for a power or reset switch.
• You've probably read about the trend towards wireless, self-powered sensor networks in factories and buildings. At some point these networks will probably need external power to the main hub. Use PoE for this hub to simplify the RF survey task and make the hub easily wired in an relocated as the need arises.
