Patent ID: 7046983
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: G06F,H02G,H04L

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for supplying power to communication devices operating within a Local Area Network (LAN) over LAN cabling, the communication devices including one or more powered devices adapted to receive power over the LAN cabling, the apparatus comprising: a power supply which is adapted to receive power from an unregulated source and to provide therefrom regulated power; power distribution and control circuitry, which is adapted to identify the powered devices on the LAN, to receive the regulated power and to generate therefrom respective current limited output voltages for supply to the powered devices, and to monitor the current drawn by each of the powered devices, said current limited output voltages exhibiting a maximum current and a highest current which may drawn in normal working, said maximum current being greater than said highest normal current, said power distribution and control circuitry being adapted to allow the current drawn by each of the powered devices to exceed said highest normal current only for a predetermined time period so long as said current being drawn does not exceed said maximum current; and a chassis which retains the power supply and the power distribution and control circuitry as a single module.