The installation and maintenance of hard to reach devices, such as security cameras or access points, can be a challenge, especially since they need both power and data cables. To make life easier, you can serve both power and data over a single cable, using a “PoE Injector”.
The Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector does exactly what its name suggests: it injects power into ethernet cables to power devices!
PoE injectors are a clever way to manage hard to reach electronic devices, such as security cameras. The injectors not only simplify installation, but also reduce costs for ongoing maintenance. It is a safe and reliable solution for servicing critical IT devices.
Passing power and data on the same transmission line makes it easier to remotely control and analyze connected devices. Many devices can be configured using PoE injectors: from VoIP phones to IP surveillance cameras.
What is a PoE injector?
A PoE (Power over Ethernet) Injector is a device used to transfer power and data through a single network cable to a device. It is plugged into an electric outlet and adds power to the network wire. It makes the process of data and power transmission smooth and efficient.
The PoE Injector is a device used to insert power into an ethernet cable. By doing so, it works as a power source for connected devices. Plugged into a power outlet and a data source, the injector does the rest by electrifying the ethernet wire, powering connected devices.
There are three types of PoE Injectors: PoE, PoE+, UltraPoE. The primary difference between these types is the power amount carried through the line. To compensate for the increased power output, there are different standards for each type along with different cable standards to carry the load.
A maximum distance of 100 meters can be covered over an ethernet cable using a PoE Injector. The injector can deliver high-speed data with a transmission rate of 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps. The maximum power delivery of these injectors ranges from 15W to 90W. Usually, Cat5e and Cat6 Ethernet cables are used with these PoE Injectors.
The major difference between PoE and PoE+ Injectors is their power delivery rate. The PoE can output 15.4 watts over Cat5 cables whereas PoE+ can output 30 watts over Cat5 cables. The number of watts received by the device is slightly less than what the injector outputs.
Active PoE injectors such as those built to the 802.3af and 802.3at standards work as a medium between the attached device and the power source. The injector only releases power if it considers it to be an appropriate amount adhering to the standards/requirements of the connected device. Otherwise, it doesn’t power up the device.
On the other hand, Passive PoE injectors do not evaluate any power requirements of the attached device and send the energy as they receive it from the source. In other words, the injector doesn’t carry out a handshake with the device to determine the power requirement . Therefore, it can be sometimes dangerous to use if connected to an incompatible device.
What devices support PoE?
Many devices support PoE. Some of them are as follows:
- VoIP Phones
- IP Cameras
- Wireless Access Points
- Network Routers
- Wall Clocks
- Industrial Control Systems
- Intercom and Public Access Systems
The TPLink is our top pick for Type 1 PoE delivering 15.4W.
- No configuration required, just plug and play.
- Comes with two Ethernet Gigabit Ports for fast wired speeds.
- Auto-detection of required power supply.
The TL-PoE150S PoE Injector by TP-LINK is one of our best picks as it comes with a coverage of 100 meters (328 feet) along with an easy to install process. It complies with the latest IEEE 802.3af quality standard and has a maximum power supply of 15.4 watts.
Its data transmission speed is one of the main benefits since it provides a lightning-fast wired speed of Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps). There are two Ethernet Gigabit ports to support the data transmission speed. It is considered to be a type-1 PoE Injector with some extra capabilities.
Tech Specs
| Data Ports: | 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000M) |
| Output Power: | 15.4 watts |
| Delivery length: | 100 meters (328 feet) |
| Input Support: | 100-240V |
TL-PoE150S is an ideal solution for areas that lack power lines or outlets. IP cameras and access points can be used with it very smoothly. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98SE, NT, 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7, Netware, Mac OS, Unix, and Linux. For configuring the injector, just plug the power and data cables on the input side, and connect it to a device on the output side. You are done!
The TP-LINK Poe injector analyzes and evaluates the necessary power needs of each attached device. The installation and setup of TL-PoE150S is just plug and play, so you don’t need to configure the device.
- Delivers power up to 100 meters (328 feet).
- Compliance with IEEE 802.3af.
- Power LED indicator.
- Supplies power up to 15.4W (Max. 48 VDC).
- PoE splitter has to be bought separately for Non-PoE devices.
- Only works with IEEE compliant devices.
- Can be used for only one device.
The power LED indicator helps analyze the proper functioning of the Injector. It is a Type1 injector delivering 15.4W of power to attached devices.
It is a reliable PoE injector, with a 2-year warranty and compatibility with various PoE-enabled devices. The build materials are also quite sturdy and efficient, so you can rely on their durability. The injector comes with necessary protective measures for the network as well. Overall, it is a great PoE injector with an affordable price.
TRENDnet is our best choice PoE+ and UltraPoE.
- Conversion-ability of a non-PoE Gigabit port to an Ultra-PoE Gigabit port.
- Options to supply PoE (15.4W), PoE+ (30W) and Ultra PoE (60W) power.
- SupportsIEEE 802.3af / 802.3at / Ultra PoE.
The TRENDnet Gigabit Ultra PoE+ Injector is one of the most efficient and reliable PoE injectors on the market. It produces Gigabit Ultra Power over an Ethernet cable by combining electrical power with a Gigabit network connection. Through the use of a guide provided with the injector, the installation has become a lot easier.
It can produce maximum powers of PoE (15.4 watts), PoE+ (30 watts), and Ultra PoE (60 watts). The networking length is also up to 328 feet (100 meters), which is quite sufficient. The PoE injector has a wall-mount design, making it easier to accommodate the injector in various installation scenarios.
The TRENDnet supports IEEE 802.3af, 802.3at, and Ultra PoE 802.3bt standards which means it is compatible with a wide variety of devices and can be configured with various common devices. When it comes to design, it has one Gigabit port and one Ultra PoE Gigabit port so that you can configure the system the way you want to.
Tech Specs
| Data Ports: | 1 x Gigabit Data in port and 1 x Gigabit Ultra PoE out port |
| Output Power: | 15.4 watts, 30 watts up to 60 watts |
| Delivery length: | 100 meters (328 feet) |
| Input Support: | 100-240V |
Auto-sensing technology is also a notable feature of the TRENDnet Injector. Luckily, backward compatibility can be gained using IEEE 802.3at, PoE+, and PoE IEEE 802.3af devices. Ultra PoE devices can also be used for backward compatibility. The LED Indicators also play a role in displaying the device's health. These indicators confirm the connectivity between the network and the PoE injector.
It is an intelligent PoE injector that protects the essentials of the entire network. It assures the data being sent from the source has been properly delivered to the attached device. Power management of the attached devices is also a worthy feature of it as it measures and evaluates the power needs of the devices and delivers accordingly.
- Cost-saving installation and equipment.
- Comes with an auto-sensing technology.
- Insightful LED indicators.
- Long network connection, up to 100 meters (328 ft).
- More expensive than other PoE injectors.
- Not a plug and play installation process.
Since the TRENDnet PoE+ Injector comes with a warranty of 3 years, it is a reliable solution to powering your device via Ethernet. Generally, we can say that it’s one of the best PoE injectors available.
A smart PoE Injector, with an easy wall socket design.
- Power PoE devices up to 328 feet (100 meters).
- Short circuit, over-voltage, and overcurrent protection.
- Auto-ranging switching input.
The iCreatin PoE Injector is one of the most affordable and flexible devices available. It comes with a lower price tag compared to other devices on the market. It supports IEEE 802.3af, hence considered to be the type-1 PoE injector. Its data transmission rate is 10/100 Mbps, which is a bit lower than the conventional PoE injectors, but the transmission is as smooth as the others.
It has two RJ45 Ethernet ports and supports power delivery up to 100 meters (328 ft). The design is elegant enough to be used as a plug-in device on the wall. The input units (100-240 VDC) are the same as the other devices reviewed, while the output is 48V 24W Passive PoE Output. This can be an issue if used with a non PoE compliant device.
Through the Cat5, 6, and Cat7 cables, you can power up devices that are hard to reach such as IP cameras and other PoE-enabled gear. One of the best features of the iCreatin PoE injector is its capability to protect devices from being short-circuited. Prevention of over-current and over-voltage is also taken into consideration.
Tech Specs
| Data Ports: | 2 RJ45 Ethernet ports |
| Output Power: | 24 watts |
| Delivery length: | 100 meters (328 ft.) |
| Input Support: | 100-240V |
The build quality is good and it is flexible enough to use with many common devices. It is most suitable for Cisco / Polycom / Aastra Phones and other PoE enabled devices. The low price of the iCreatin PoE Injector doesn’t compromise on its quality as it not only provides an efficient power and data transmission solution, but the protection of the attached devices as well.
- US wall plug design and compact size.
- Available at an affordable price.
- Compatible with most 10/100 Mbps IP cameras and other PoE devices.
- Provides unmanaged passive PoE output.
- Low bandwidth and data transmission rates.
- Compatible with few devices.
Overall, it is the best option for you if you have a limited budget. It provides compatibility with many IEEE 802.3af-enriched devices and works smoothly with simple installation procedures.
Other Notable Products
- Provides surge protection and earth grounding.
- Protects against ESD attacks.
- Gigabit LAN port compatibility.
The Ubiquiti PoE Injector makes it easier to power PoE devices requiring 24 volts with a convenient installation process. The output voltage it provides is 24VDC at 0.5A. The remote reset capability is also a great feature at such an affordable price.
The input voltage it supports is 100-240VAC with an RJ45 shielded socket. This PoE Injector is a great solution for devices requiring reduced 24V output power. It also provides protection from ESD attacks, surges, and earth grounding.
- Up to 2 Gbps speed due to Gigabit Ethernet transmission.
- 30W Injector with 802.3af / 802.3at compliance.
- Plug and play installation and multi-protection.
The Cudy PoE Injector is included in our roundup because of its plug and play installation and high-speed data transmission of 10/100/1000 Mbps through a Gigabit connection. It is a PoE+ Injector that complies with IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at.
It has auto-sensing technology and can provide a maximum power of 30W. With a reasonable price, it is good value for money and can be integrated with numerous devices. From simple installation to high-speed data, power transmission and protection, the Cudy PoE+ Injector is a good option.
- 4 Port wall mount with 48 watts of maximum power output.
- Lightning-fast data transmission speed.
- Easy to install and set up.
The PoE Texas GPOE PoE Injector comes with 4 ports to power up 4 devices through a single injector. The power can be transmitted over 100 meters (328 feet) and it complies with IEEE 802.3af as well as 802.3at devices. The data transmission speed (10/100/1000Mbps) is also quite impressive as it uses high-speed Gigabit transmission.
With a mid-range price, it comes with a 1-year warranty and compatibility with various type-1 and type-2 supported devices. It can deliver power up to 48W which is quite sufficient to power up regular devices. Overall, it is a great PoE Injector where numerous devices need to be serviced.
Should I Buy a PoE Injector?
Ideal if no power outlet is nearby
Security cameras and Wi-Fi access points are typically installed in areas where power supply is not easily accessible. Here, the role of PoE injectors comes in since through a single data cable, these injectors deliver a network connection as well as power to these out of reach devices.
You can easily configure devices such as IP surveillance cameras using the one-step solution of PoE injectors. Everything becomes easy when the power and data transmission lines become the same. It completely eliminates the need for AC/DC power supplies and outlets near these devices.
Reduces installation costs
Since devices powered by PoE can be installed in areas where there is no power outlet nearby, there is no need for an electrician to run circuit spurs. You can easily install the PoE injector and configure the device by yourself. Injectors typically come with clear indications on how to setup and install.
The whole installation process becomes more convenient and affordable.
Safer due to lower voltage
Active PoE injectors evaluate the power supply intelligently and deliver it to the devices according to their needs. This feature not only prevents devices from overloading but also saves a lot of power. Therefore, the devices attached to these injectors cannot get burnt out easily as the power is safely and smartly released.
If you would like to monitor the energy consumption of your electronic devices, check out our energy monitor guide!
Remotely control devices
PoE Injectors come with various options to remotely control attached devices. As these injectors handle both power and data transmission, you can restart attached devices manually or based on a schedule.
Modern PoE devices come with watchdog functionality in which a Powered Device Manager (PDM) helps you greatly reduce the downtime of connected devices. Remote connectivity makes the process of analyzing and managing devices easier and convenient.
PoE Injector Features to Consider
Standard & Power Level
The standard for PoE type-1 or simple PoE injectors is IEEE 802.3af, while for the PoE+ or type-2 PoE injectors it is IEEE 802.3at. Both of these technologies utilize 2-pair Power over Ethernet. The PoE type-1 has 15.4W of maximum Power per Port whereas the PoE+ can have 30W.
There are two new standards known as PoE++ Type 3 or IEEE 802.3bt (Type 3) and PoE++ Type 4 or IEEE 802.3bt (Type 4). Type 3 provides 60W of maximum Power per Port whereas Type 4 provides 100W as maximum Power per Port. Both of them utilize 4-pair Power over Ethernet cables.
Bandwidth / Data Speed
Over Cat5e and Cat6 cables, the data delivery rate is 1 Gbps (10/100/1000 Mbps). The maximum range is 100 meters. IEEE 802.3bz technology provides 2.5 to 5 Gbps data transmission speed over these cables. However, data transmission speed can vary from brand to brand and are worth reviewing before purchase.
Protection
Since PoE injectors act as a middle-man between the network switch and the device, security is an essential factor as data is being transmitted at all times. Luckily, PoE injectors have been designed to protect the entire network from underpowering, overloading, and incorrect installation.
The Verdict
PoE injectors not only simplify installation of electronic devices but also reduce costs for ongoing management and maintenance. A PoE injector is a safe and reliable solution for servicing critical IT devices. The TP-LINK TL-PoE150S PoE Injector is our best PoE injector, while TRENDnet Gigabit Ultra PoE+ Injector provides the best PoE+ and UltraPoE injectors.
The TPLink is our top pick for Type 1 PoE delivering 15.4W.
- No configuration required, just plug and play.
- Comes with two Ethernet Gigabit Ports for fast wired speeds.
- Auto-detection of required power supply.