How it works

PoE (Power over Ethernet, IEEE 802.3af) is Type 1 standards-based PoE: about 15.4 W at the PSE port and about 12.95 W at the powered device after cable loss. A PoE switch or injector (the PSE) runs detection, then a classification handshake so the PD and PSE agree on a Type 1 class. Power rides two pairs on Cat5e or better for the classic Gigabit case, with data on the same RJ45 run. That is the original IEEE PoE floor. PoE+ (802.3at Type 2) steps up to about 30 W at the PSE and 25.5 W at the PD. 802.3bt (PoE++ / Type 3 or Type 4) opens four-pair power for 60 W or 90 W class loads.

PSE vs PD is the split that matters in datasheets. The switch or injector is the power sourcing equipment. The camera, phone, or AP is the powered device. Watts per port and the switch's shared PoE budget are different limits: eight af ports at 15.4 W each is ~123 W on paper, but many desktop switches ship a smaller shared pool. Marketing labels are sloppy. "PoE" on a box can mean af, at, or bt. Passive injectors that dump 24 V or 48 V without IEEE detection are not the same as standards-based 802.3af.

When it matters

It matters when you are powering many VoIP phones, basic IP cameras, or lighter access points from a closet switch without a wall wart at each drop. Check the PD datasheet for 802.3af, PoE, Type 1, or Classes 0 through 3. Then match the PSE: per-port watts and the shared budget both have to clear the load. Prefer solid Cat5e or better, budget for loss on long runs, and do not confuse a cheap passive injector with a detecting 802.3af PSE.

Base PoE is enough for a lot of phones and simple cams. If the datasheet asks for PoE+, 802.3at, Type 2, or Class 4 (~30 W), step up to PoE+. If it asks for 802.3bt, PoE++, Ultra60, or 60 W / 90 W class, you need 802.3bt silicon instead of hoping a Type 1 port is enough.

An 8-port Gigabit Easy Smart switch that covers 802.3af devices with PoE+ headroom, a compact JetStream unit when a few standards-based PoE drops and smarter VLANs/QoS are enough, and a multi-gig Ultra60 box when some ports need more than Type 1.

The TL-SG1210MPE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Easy Smart Switch is a classic 8-port Gigabit Easy Smart switch whose 802.3af/at ports cover base PoE phones and cameras with headroom.

The TP-Link TL-SG2008P JetStream 8-Port Gigabit Smart Switch with 4-Port PoE+ is the managed JetStream class when you want VLANs and QoS with standards-based PoE ports.

The NETGEAR MS108UP 8-Port Ultra60 PoE Multi-Gigabit Switch still powers classic 802.3af devices while offering Ultra60 ports when some loads need more than Type 1.

For the Type 2 step (~30 W), read PoE+. For Type 3/4 four-pair power (60 W / 90 W), see 802.3bt. For shopping PoE switches for cameras and APs, see Best PoE Switches for a Home Lab. Multi-gig copper that often shares the same closet: 2.5GbE.