Page 18 - IEC Insights May-Jun20

FEATURE

W VoltServer, a company that has developed

Wiring a new office building or retrofitting
an old building today can go beyond the
electrical service, lighting, and office
space wiring for phones and computers.
power distribution platform based on the
company’s patented Digital Electricity™
Technology is changing how buildings can and is delivering to market an innovative
be wired utilizing Power over Ethernet technology. VoltServer is a venture-backed
technology leader reinventing how
(PoE) and Digital Electricity. electrical energy is distributed, providing
safe reliable power distribution without
conduit and wire over long distances.
PoE was first introduced in 2003. This
technology (also referred to as Type I) Contractors need to be aware of new
allowed power sourcing equipment (PSE) technology like PoE to be competitive in
to transmit up to 15.4W of power to a the electrical construction industry which
powered device (PD) via twisted pair will continue to change the traditional way
cabling (Category 5e). PoE passes electric that buildings are wired.
power to powered devices (PD), such as
wireless access points, IP cameras, and
VoIP phones in addition to the data that David Hittinger has worked in the electrical
cable usually carries. It enables one RJ45 industry for more than 50 years and
cable to provide both data connection serves on several national committees
and electric power to PDs instead of representing IEC including the NFPA
having a separate cable for each. National Electrical Code Correlating
Committee and Code Making Panel 1,
As PoE technology has developed, the as well as the UL Electrical Council.
amount of power that can be sent over
Ethernet cable has increased. IEEE-
compliant PoE switches and injectors TECHNOLOGY
can output anywhere from 12 watts to TECHNOLOGY
over 70 watts of power per port.
PoE technology offers several benefits.
First, the delivery of data and power over
a standard Ethernet cable eliminates
the need for AC/DC power supplies and
outlets to give power to PD equipment.
That lowers the costs of adding or
installing compatible PD equipment
and is often installed by unlicensed
electricians. Many state licensing
requirements don’t apply.

The Sinclair Hotel in Ft. Worth, Texas was
recently wired with PoE technology and
claims to be the world’s first all-digital
hotel, connecting everything from smart
and more sustainable and efficient building
operations to in-room experiences.

Digital electricity is another technology
that is changing how building owners
can take advantage of lower material
and labor costs. One example is

16 Insights Magazine | May/June 2020 | www.ieci.org