What Is IEEE 802.3bt High Power PoE (Hi-PoE)?
Jan 26, 20241 min read
Power over Ethernet, also called PoE, is a significant technology that simplifies network deployment by enabling Ethernet cables to transmit electrical energy over a live data connection without the need for redundant power lines or outlets. Since ratifying the first PoE standard in 2003, PoE technology has been upgraded to support higher power delivery. So far, the latest PoE standard is the IEEE 802.3bt High Power PoE, which is also simplified as Hi-PoE. This article explains the concept of Hi-PoE and Hi-PoE switches, introduces the devices connected to Hi-PoE switches, and the benefits of using high-power PoE switches.
What Is High Power PoE?
To fulfill the ever-increasing demands of high-power devices, a new-generation PoE standard IEEE802.3bt has been introduced to help build a high-power network system with ease. IEEE802.3bt standard is the latest PoE standard and implements power over four twisted pairs of structured wiring. In IEEE 802.3af/at, only two twisted pairs are used for power connection, while data can be delivered over four pairs. And for the first time, this new generation of PoE uses all 8 wires to transport power so as to minimize power loss over transmission to achieve better power delivery with an increased power budget.
What Are the Different Types of PoE under IEEE 802.3bt?
The IEEE 802.3bt standard defines two new types of PoE: Type 3 and Type 4.
Type 3: also known as PoE++ or UPOE, can deliver up to 60W of power per port, ideal for powering devices such as video conferencing equipment, multi-radio wireless access points.
Type 4: commonly referred to as High Power PoE (Hi-PoE), can supply up to 90W per port, suitable for powering more demanding devices like LED lighting, flat screens.
Both Type 3 and Type 4 maintain backward compatibility with the earlier PoE standards, IEEE 802.3af (PoE) and IEEE 802.3at (PoE+), allowing seamless integration with existing devices.
Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 |
Name | PoE | PoE+ | PoE++ UPoE | High Power PoE |
PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3af | IEEE 802.3at | IEEE 802.3bt | IEEE 802.3bt |
Max. Power Per Port | 15.4W | 30W | 60W | Up to 90W (max 100W) |
Power to PD | 12.95W | 25.5W | 51W | 71.3W |
Twisted Pair Used | 2-Pair | 2-Pair | 4-Pair | 4-Pair |
Supported Cables | Cat5e | Cat5e | Cat6a | Cat6a |
Typical Application | Static surveillance cameras, VolP phones, wireless access points | PTZ cameras, video IP phones, alarm systems | Video conferencing equipment, multi-radio wireless access points | LED lighting, flat screens |
What Are the Benefits of High Power PoE?
High Power PoE (Hi-PoE) is more than just increased wattage—it's a practical solution to evolving infrastructure demands. Here's why it makes a real difference:
Improves Energy Efficiency: By delivering power over all four twisted pairs in the Ethernet cable, Hi-PoE minimizes voltage drop and transmission loss, resulting in more efficient energy use—especially over long cable runs.
Lowers Operational Costs: Consolidating power and data into a single cable reduces the number of failure points, simplifies maintenance, and saves on electrician labor.
Enhances Flexibility & Scalability: Hi-PoE allows devices to be added, moved, or upgraded without reworking electrical infrastructure, making it easy to scale your network as needs change.
Simplifies Infrastructure Deployment: Removing the need for local AC outlets reduces installation time, material costs, and spatial constraints—ideal for ceiling-mounted APs, outdoor cameras, and LED lighting systems.
Enables Intelligent Network Management: Many Hi-PoE switches include smart features such as remote power cycling, load monitoring, and per-port power allocation—ideal for centralized network control.
Powers the Future of Connectivity: Smart buildings, hybrid workspaces, and digital signage all depend on devices that consume more energy than legacy PoE can deliver. Hi-PoE meets these requirements head-on with up to 90W per port.
What Is the High Power PoE Switch?
Power sourcing equipment (PSE) are devices that transmit power and data to a linked powered device (PD) using a single Ethernet wire. PSEs are classified into two types: "endspan" and "midspan" devices. PoE switches, as an end span method to add PoE to a network, become the most common appliance which combines both network side and power together and delivers both Ethernet and power to powered devices.
As the new PoE standard popularizes, there are more and more high power PoE switches emerging in the market, such as FS S5860-24XB-U PoE switch supporting auto-sensing IEEE 802.3af/at/bt power up to 8×90W per port. In addition to its high power capabilities, this switch also supports Perpetual PoE—a feature that ensures uninterrupted power supply to connected devices even during switch reboots or firmware upgrades. This is especially valuable in mission-critical applications like IP surveillance, building access control, and digital signage. Forward-thinking adopters have regarded high power PoE infrastructures as key enablers of smart buildings and IoT. Devices like the FS S5860-24XB-U are not only built to meet today’s performance demands but are also designed to ensure future scalability, energy efficiency, and network resilience.
What Are the Devices Connected to a High-Power PoE Switch?
As demands for new technology are growing with the expansion of newly diversified applications, high-power IP-based terminals such as intelligent LED lights, all-in-one cloud desktops, and intelligent IP audio appear in our lives. The power requirements of these devices range from 15W to 90W. As IEEE 802.3bt standard can be backward compatible with IEEE 802.3af/at standard, high power PoE switches can be used with various devices.
PoE LED Lights: High power PoE switches can provide 90W power to LED lights, saving a lot of energy for owners or managers in the field of intelligent buildings. By using this standard, it reduces the minimum standby power (when the light is off) to 20 MW, which is 10 times higher than that allowed by other existing standards (200 MW).
90W PTZ Cameras: PTZ cameras consume a lot of power, up to 90W in some cases, which the previous IEEE 802.3af/at standard can't provide. The adoption of IEEE 802.3bt PoE technology makes it possible for high-power PTZ cameras to be networked with a high power PoE switch, thus reducing wiring and maintenance costs.
Wireless Access Points: As a way for users of wireless devices (mobile phones, laptops, etc.) to access wired networks, wireless access points are widely used in office buildings, campuses, parks, warehouses, factories, and other places where wireless networking is needed. In some cases, they need more than 60W power to work properly. At this time, they can be connected to high power PoE switches to provide power for terminal equipment.
VoIP Phones, Video Interphones: With high power PoE switches, users can operate video interphones, LED display screens, VoIP telephone system with high power consumption on the existing Ethernet infrastructure.
Explore FS High Power PoE Options
FS offers a range of IEEE 802.3bt-compliant switches designed for different network scales and application scenarios. The table below highlights key specifications:
Model | PoE Standard | Operation System | Port | Switch Capacity | Power Budget | Forwarding Rate | Fans | Management Layer |
IEEE 802.3af/at/bt | PicOS® | 24x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5GBase-T, 4x 10G/25G SFP28 | 440 Gbps | 370W | 327 Mpps | 2 Built-in | L3 | |
IEEE 802.3af/at/bt | PicOS® | 24x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G/10GBase-T, 4x 1G/10G SFP+, 4x 10G/25G SFP28 | 760 Gbps | 740W | 565 Mpps | 3 (2+1 Redundancy) Hot-swappable | L3 | |
IEEE 802.3af/at/bt | PicOS® | 48x 100M/1000M/2.5G/5G/10GBase-T, 4x 10G/25G SFP28, 2x 40G QSFP+ | 1.32 Tbps | 1600W | 982 Mpps | 2+1 Smart Fans | L3 | |
IEEE 802.3af/at/bt | PicOS® | 48x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ45, 4x 10G/25G SFP28, 2x 100G QSFP28 | 696 Gbps | 1560W | 744 Mpps | 3 (2+1 Redundancy) Built-in | L3 | |
IEEE 802.3af/at/bt | PicOS® | 36x 1/2.5G Multigig, 12x 1/2.5/5/10G Multigig, 4x 25G SFP28, 2x 100G QSFP28 | 1020 Gbps | 2100 W | 863.1 Mpps | 3 (2+1 Redundancy) Built-in | L3 |
Conclusion
IEEE 802.3bt Hi-PoE is the key to building robust, scalable, and cost-effective power and data infrastructures for smart buildings, surveillance systems, and IoT networks. With support for up to 90W, it accommodates the growing power needs of modern connected devices. If you're planning a future-proof network, a high power PoE switch like those from fs.com can be a smart and sustainable investment.
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