What is the typical maximum distance for PoE installations?

For Power over Ethernet (PoE) installations, the typical maximum distance is 100 meters. This standard distance is defined by the Ethernet protocol and refers to the length of the cable run between the powered device (PD) and the power sourcing equipment (PSE). Ethernet cables, such as Cat5e and Cat6, are designed to support data transmission and power delivery up to this distance without significant loss in performance or power efficiency.

In practice, if installations require lengths longer than 100 meters, signal degradation and power loss can occur, resulting in insufficient power being delivered to the device. Thus, adhering to the 100-meter maximum distance ensures reliable operation of PoE devices, making it the best practice for network installations that employ this technology.

The other distance options, like 50, 150, and 200 meters, exceed the recommended length for effective PoE operation and could lead to operational challenges or device failures.