Side-by-Side Comparison
Power over Ethernet
PoE (802.3af) vs. PoE++ Type 4
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
PoE (802.3af)
PoE++ Type 4
Power over Ethernet (PoE, IEEE 802.3af Type 1) is a 2003 networking standard that delivers up to 15.40 W of direct current (DC) power from a Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) port, guaranteeing 12.95 W of usable power at the Powered Device (PD) over two twisted pairs.
Power over Ethernet Plus Plus Type 4 (High-Power PoE++, IEEE 802.3bt Type 4) is the highest standardized PoE tier, delivering up to 90.0 W (and up to 99.9 W maximum) from the PSE to guarantee 71.3 W of DC power across all four pairs to high-draw client hardware.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
IEEE Standard
|
IEEE 802.3af-2003 | IEEE 802.3bt-2018 |
|
PoE Type
|
Type 1 (PoE) | Type 4 (High-Power PoE++) |
|
PSE Output Power (Max)
|
15.40 W | 90.0 W (up to 99.9W) |
|
PSE Output Voltage Range
|
44.0–57.0 V DC | 52.0–57.0 V DC |
|
PD Input Voltage Range
|
37.0–57.0 V DC | 41.1–57.0 V DC |
|
Max Current
|
350 mA | 960 mA per pair set |
|
Twisted Pairs Energized
|
2 pairs (Alternative A or B) | 4 pairs (4PPoE) |
|
PD Input Power (Guaranteed)
|
12.95 W | — |
|
Minimum Cable Category
|
Category 3 (Cat 5/5e standard) | — |
|
PoE Power Classes
|
— | Class 7 (75W PSE) and Class 8 (90W PSE) |
|
PD Input Power (Guaranteed @ 100m)
|
— | 71.3 W |
|
Recommended Cable Category
|
— | Category 6a (23 AWG solid copper) |