Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT

Technology

-Mark Mullins

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 1

Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT Technology

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).

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 2

Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT Technology

A Little Bit More

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

The Same Concerns

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.

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 4

Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT Technology

Balance Still Matters

Speaking of cable choice... Do you remember how DC

resistance unbalance in a PoE connection can distort Ethernet data
signals? Well the same holds true for POH. But instead of bit errors
and retransmits, DC resistance unbalance in a POH connection can
distort the picture.
And just like in PoE connections, poor workmanship and a
lack of cable quality can make it difficult to achieve the common-
mode voltage that allows current to be evenly split between
conductors. Even manufacturers of HDBaseT equipment warn
against the impact of inexpensive, non-compliant cables like
copper coated aluminum (CCA) that exhibit variations in the
diameter, concentricity and smoothness of conductors and
therefore have a higher risk for unbalance

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 5

Understanding POH: The Power Behind HDBaseT Technology

Balance Still Matters

Thankfully, just like the DSX-5000 CableAnalyzer is used to test

cable performance in an HDBaseT application, its ability to test for
DC resistance and resistance unbalance can verify that both
conductors in a pair can effectively support POH (and PoE).
If the difference is DC resistance between two conductors
is greater than the maximum allowed 3% as specified by IEEE Std
802.3, there's a pretty good chance that your POH application
won't be picture perfect.

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 6

 Thank You!

07-01-2018 www.flukenetworks.com| 2006-2017 Fluke Corporation 7