CLTC recently conducted a comprehensive lab evaluation of Power over Ethernet (PoE) microgrid systems for commercial buildings. The study compared the electrical efficiency of PoE-enabled devices, such as cameras, LED drivers, and access controllers, against traditional AC-powered counterparts, finding that AC systems generally exhibited higher efficiency due to lower switch overhead.
Centralized PoE architectures demonstrated superior efficiency (77-80%) compared to decentralized systems (74%), highlighting the benefits of single-switch configurations for large-scale deployments. Cybersecurity assessments revealed significant vulnerabilities in several PoE devices, with inconsistent compliance to standards like SB 327 and UL/ANSI 2900, underscoring the need for improved manufacturer guidance and robust security measures. These findings equip building designers and facility managers with critical data to enhance PoE system performance, ensuring more efficient, secure, and sustainable commercial building operations.
Learn more about the evaluation results in PoE Microgrid Final Report.