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How Much Power Can an Ethernet Cable Deliver with PoE?

PoE can supply up to 90 W at a Type 4 source port, but Cisco's comparison lists up to 71.3 W at the powered device. The cable carries power; the source, endpoint, and installation determine what is usable.

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With standards-based Power over Ethernet (PoE), a port can supply up to 15.4 W, 30 W, 60 W, or 90 W, depending on its PoE type. Those are power-sourcing equipment (PSE) figures—the output at the switch or injector. Less reaches the powered device (PD) because some power is lost in the cable. The cable alone does not set the limit: the source and device must support compatible PoE types, and the installation must deliver power reliably.

How much power reaches the device?

Use the PD column to estimate the standards-based maximum available at the endpoint; use the PSE column for the source port’s maximum output. Cisco’s standards and deployment tables give these figures:

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PoE type IEEE standard Maximum PSE port output Maximum power at PD Pairs used
Type 1 (PoE) 802.3af 15.4 W 12.95 W 2
Type 2 (PoE+) 802.3at 30 W 25.5 W 2
Type 3 (PoE++) 802.3bt 60 W 51 W 4
Type 4 (4PPoE, also commonly called PoE++) 802.3bt 90 W 71.3 W 4

These are maximums, not a promise that a particular port will continuously provide that amount to a particular device. Cisco lists the source and endpoint figures in its PoE standards guide and 90 W deployment guide.

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Why the cable does not determine the PoE wattage

The switch or injector is the PSE: it supplies power. The endpoint is the PD: it receives and uses power. A cable carries that power, but cannot make a lower-capability source provide a higher PoE type. For example, a higher-rated cable cannot turn a Type 1 port into a Type 4 source.

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Some power is dissipated as heat because conductors have resistance. Cisco notes that run length and cable or connection condition affect PoE operation; a long run or poor connection can reduce the useful power reaching the endpoint. The actual result depends on the full installation, not just the category printed on the cable.

What to check before connecting a PoE device

  1. Check the source port. Confirm its IEEE PoE type and per-port output rating in the switch or injector specifications.
  2. Check the powered device. Confirm which PoE type it accepts and how much power it requires. A source and device must be compatible for the intended operation.
  3. Check the switch’s total power budget. A port’s PoE rating does not mean the switch can supply that maximum to every port at once. Detection, classification, CDP or LLDP behavior, port capability, and the system’s available power budget can affect what is assigned. Cisco discusses these considerations in its Catalyst 9000 PoE verification guidance.
  4. Check the cable and path. Consider pair use, cable category and conductor construction, run length, connectors, and connection quality. Cisco’s comparison lists a distance under 100 m; treat that as context for the cited comparison, not a guarantee for every installation.
  5. Check data-speed requirements. A cable suitable for delivering power may not meet the data-rate requirements of the link. Select cable for both power and network performance.

Pairs, cable category, and higher-power installations

Types 1 and 2 use two twisted pairs; Types 3 and 4 use all four. Cisco’s comparison uses Category 5e as a minimum. For some low-speed Type 4 installations it recommends 22 AWG Cat 5e; where higher data speeds are required, it recommends Cat 6A with 23 AWG or larger conductors. These are installation recommendations, not a way to raise a switch’s PoE output rating.

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For a higher-speed Type 4 run, Cat 6A cable with 23 AWG or larger conductors is a relevant option to evaluate against the device, installation, and local requirements. Cisco’s deployment guide provides that context. The cable will not increase the PoE capability of the PSE or PD.

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Quick way to compare PoE equipment

  • Match the switch or injector’s IEEE type and per-port PSE maximum to the device’s supported type and power requirement.
  • Check the total switch power budget, especially when several ports will power devices at once.
  • Confirm whether the installation needs two or four pairs, and choose cable construction and category appropriate to its power and data needs.
  • Account for run length, connectors, and connection quality; investigate these if a device does not receive reliable power.

For troubleshooting, Cisco’s PoE troubleshooting guide covers cable resistance and connection factors. The exact suitable cable and power arrangement still depend on the equipment, installation environment, and applicable requirements.

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