The Ethernet Alliance announced on Sept. 29 that it has expanded its list of approved Ethernet Alliance Power over Ethernet (PoE) Certification test equipment. A list of all approved test equipment is now available from the Ethernet Alliance, .
Per the consortium's new guidance associated with this announcement:
Ethernet Alliance member companies now can perform both Gen 2 and Gen 1 PoE testing in house and submit test reports for approval for PoE devices of all eight power classifications, and third-party labs can accelerate PoE-testing offerings based on Ethernet Alliance-approved solutions and repeatable processes.
“We remain committed to rolling out PoE certification to a broader range of equipment and to accelerating adoption of the Ethernet Alliance Certified logos. Expanding the list of Ethernet Alliance-approved PoE test equipment to include Gen 2 and updated Gen 1 testing options for all Class 1-8 devices contributes significantly to that goal,” commented David Tremblay, Ethernet Alliance PoE certification chair. “It increases the flexibility by which manufacturers can do testing in-house or take their existing test results and apply for the certification. It also positions labs to more easily and cost-efficiently roll out third-party testing.”
The Ethernet Alliance contends that its PoE Certification program "is crucial to minimizing interoperability issues and fueling a positive user experience with IEEE 802.3 standards-based PoE."
As further noted by the consortium's statement:
IEEE standards define efficient and robust methods of delivering electrical power along with data from power sourcing equipment (PSE) such as Ethernet switches to powered devices (PDs) via Ethernet cabling. As a result, there is sharp growth in the number and variety of PoE-powered devices, including wireless access points, phones, cameras, speakers, LED lighting and many others.
Based on a test plan developed by many of the same individuals who helped write the IEEE 802.3 PoE standards, the Ethernet Alliance PoE Certification program enables simple and clear identification of those PSE and PD products that will successfully work together and dependably deliver the differentiating power and efficiency benefits promised by IEEE-standardized PoE.
In testimonial to the program, David Lucia, president and founder of Sifos Technologies, asserted, “Obtaining Ethernet Alliance PoE certification allows manufacturers to apply an industry-recognized mark on their certified products and within their product literature. End users gain greater confidence that the Ethernet Alliance-certified PoE products they are purchasing are safe, will interoperate correctly, and will not damage non-PoE equipment. As the recognized industry leader in PoE testing, Sifos has worked closely with the Ethernet Alliance to enable a highly cost-effective and labor-efficient process for automated testing leveraging Sifos solutions that many companies already rely upon.”
For more information, visit http://www.ethernetalliance.org.