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-Mark Mullins
Last month we posted a blog about HDBaseT that explained the application and how testing
isn't really any different since standards-based Category 5e, 5 or 6A will support it. But maybe you've
also heard about power over HDBaseT, or POH, and you're wondering how that differs from power
over Ethernet (PoE).
Based on and backwards compatible with the IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus
standard, POH delivers up to 100W of DC power over four pairs of Ethernet cable in
conjunction with video signals to a distance of up to 100 meters (m) -- enough to
power a typical LED TV. In fact, Energy Star™ 6.1 restricts all TVs 60 inches or less to
no more than 100W and that wattage is dropping.
POH technology opens the door for a cost-effective, easy way to deliver
power to digital signage in airports, hotels, hospitals, cafeterias or any other
environment in need of a video display--eliminating the need for AC power. This is
especially appealing for applications near water where AC power presents a safety
hazard. As you can imagine, customers across every market are therefore starting to
demand POH.
One key difference compared to PoE is that instead of the powered device
assuming worst-case cabling, POH allows the device itself to identify the cable
length and draw more power as long as it does not exceed the 100W. That's pretty
much where the difference ends (other than the capital "O" in the acronym).
07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 3
Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT Technology
Like IEEE 802.at, POH comes with the same concerns inherent when running higher DC power
over all four pairs--heat rise in cable bundles being one of the biggest. Because temperature is directly
related to insertion loss, it's important to ensure that cable temperatures do not exceed the
maximum operating temperature of 60°C specified by TIA standards and the recommended maximum
temperature rise of 15°C for remote power applications.
To help combat temperature rise, it is recommended to reduce cable bundle sizes, use higher
category or shielded cabling or reduce the channel length when delivering DC power. For example, a
bundle of 60 Category 6A cables will exhibit about 12% less heat rise than Category 6. And shielded
cable will perform even better due to the shield that acts as an insulator. Depending on the
application, it may make sense to choose better performing cable to avoid having to derate the
channel length down from 100 meters.