PoE Lighting
Benefits and DesignConsiderations
Creating more meaningful connections
in smart buildings

More Meaningful Connections

Introduction
Smart devices, smart cars, smart grids, smart cities. More meaningful connections are being madeto enhance every aspect of our lives and buildings are no different. Smart Buildings include theconvergence of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), building automation, lighting, andother facility-based systems.
Traditionally, most buildings have separate networks for the devices that operate the building
automation, HVAC, access control, and lighting systems. However, managing these separate
networks can be difficult and cumbersome. New technologies are creating the possibility ofcreating a single converged smart building network. In theory, this would remove the complexityof operating several facility-based networks.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting is at the core of this smart building revolution. PoE lighting
merges technological advances in low voltage (DC) LED lighting with technological advancesin PoE IP networking. The connection of these advances creates an exciting Building Internet ofThings (BIoT) component and could provide significant cost savings and unforeseen benefits to theway we work and live.

Why PoE?
PoE is a standards body approved technology that has been around for quite some time. It safely allows
electrical power and data to transmit concurrently on a single twisted-pair cable (Category 5e or above).
Over the last 14 years, several standards bodies now provide for 15.4 W (PoE), 25.5 W (PoE+), 60 W (PoE+),and soon 100 W (PoE++). Many technologies today are using PoE to power devices. Connecting new devices
to the network is as simple as plugging them into an RJ45 jack. Some examples of PoE-enabled devices are
Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, Wireless Access Points (WAP), and security devices.
Some benefits of a PoE network are:•••
•
•••
••

Powers devices on the same network used for data communications
Easier installation
Cost effective installation
Easier network management
Uses smart power technologies
Uses DC power
Higher reliability
Higher power transfer efficiency
Ability to perform power/energy management

Benefits of PoE Lighting
One of the biggest uses of energy in a typical enterprise building is the lighting. The energy savings fromthe use of LED lighting is well documented. Recently businesses have transitioned from incandescent tofluorescent lighting. This shift along with falling prices and a proliferation of products have triggered a rapid
market adoption of LED lighting. LEDs are driving a dramatic change in lighting due to their vast energy
savings potential, longer life, and maintenance savings. Other features of LEDs include wavelength (i.e., colortemperature) for circadian rhythm optimization, color and/or flashing to indicate emergency pathways, andconstant light (not 60Hz modulated that leads to eye strain).

2POE LIGHTING BENEFITS AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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Network-powered lighting systems can be the centralized hub for a smart building’s converged, all IP network.
A centralized hub provides a single network bringing together lighting, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors,building automation, HVAC, analytics, and other technologies. In the same way that VoIP drove exciting newchanges to enterprise telecommunications networks, PoE lighting can be the defining platform that enables
new capabilities.
In a connected PoE system, each light links to the building’s IT network. The system can drive new ways tointeract with people and places, sense the environment, gather and share data, and provide a more productive
and enjoyable working environment. Lighting fixtures can become the focal point of an all IP network
delivering intelligence, gathering and sharing data on occupancy, activity patterns, temperature, daylightlevels, and other data. The flexibility of an all IP network helps to future-proof your investment and emerging
applications can use this data to deliver exceptional value to users and building managers.
LED lighting systems have the benefits of longer expected operating life, reduced energy consumption, better
color rendition, and dimmability. Also, there is less hazardous material to deal with at the end of life. Some
PoE lighting can provide live usage data or can keep records of usage to help decision making about future
lighting needs. Using LED lighting as the network backbone of an all IP network integrates intelligent control
systems, enabling a host of new capabilities and an upsurge of low voltage devices in the building. The price ofLED lighting continues to drop and is now comparable to legacy lighting technologies. Facility managers anddecision makers are considering these factors when replacing or purchasing new lighting.
In a recent case study of The Edge1, an innovative multi-tenant office building in Amsterdam built for Deloitte,
the goal was to create an intuitive, comfortable, and productive work environment for employees, save energy,and future proof the building through the ability to add sensors and locator beacons. Using LED lighting andPoE, the study showed a 33% cost savings per employee while improving the work environment and providing
a lighting based PoE network for future leverage. The benefits of an IP network infrastructure designed tosupport lighting, power, data monitoring, and building controls over a single flexible system include:•••••

Collect data from whole facility, specific zones, or individual spaces
Higher efficiency, increased safety, increased comfort, and lower costof facility operations
Improve real estate use to decrease costs and improve workforce productivity
Reduced infrastructure and installation costs
Opportunity for LiFi

Zone Cabling for PoE Lighting
Zone cabling is a standards-based, structured cabling strategy where all system networks are converged
within common pathways from the telecommunications rooms (TRs) to consolidating points. This strategy iswell-positioned to enable PoE lighting deployments. This section raises areas to consider before deploying aPoE lighting network within a zone cabling architecture.
Zone cabling designs focus on bringing consolidation points or small “quasi” TRs closer to the end user, orin the case of PoE lighting, to the end use. This reduces the need for “homerun” horizontal cabling that goesfrom the end use/user back to the TR. The zone cable design strategy increases the flexibility of the cabling
infrastructure while decreasing the complexity of homerun cabling. These consolidation points can be inwall-mounted zone enclosures, in-ceiling zone enclosures, or under-floor mounted enclosure boxes. Zone
cabling enclosures are easily accessible for moves, adds, and changes (MAC). Panduit is uniquely positioned
to assist with both zone cabling and PoE lighting, having extensive experience with both technologies.

1 Philips. (2017). Connected Office Value Beyond Illumination [PowerPoint slides].

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PoE Switches - Centralized vs. Distributed
There are two deployment strategies for PoE lighting installations. The most common strategy is a centralizeddeployment (Figure 1) where the PoE switches are centrally located in the TR. From the TR, copper cable runs
to a patch panel within the zone enclosure, then from the patch panel to the lighting troffers. Table 1 lists theadvantages and disadvantages to this style of deployment.

Troffer
Patch PanelTroffer
Zone Enclosure

Telecom
Room

Troffer

PoE Switch

CopperTroffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Figure 1: Centralized PoE switch zone cabling deployment.

Centralized Advantages

Centralized Disadvantages

Uses existing power infrastructure

Requires more cabling

Centralizes active equipment

Distance limitations from TR limited to 100m or lessEasier to perform maintenance on equipment in TR

Larger PoE switches are generally less cost-effective

Table 1: Centralized PoE Switch Zone Cabling Advantages and Disadvantages.
The distributed strategy results from newer, smaller PoE switches designed for a distributed architecture(Figure 2). The PoE switch is in a zone enclosure, usually in the ceiling, closer to the lighting troffers. Thisallows for lighting troffers to be at greater distances from the TR and uses less cable. The uplink from theTR to zone enclosure box can be fiber or copper. Fiber connections allow for greater distances. Table 2 lists
several advantages and disadvantages to a distributed architecture.

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POE LIGHTING BENEFITS AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Telecom RoomPoE SwitchZone Enclosure

Fiber or Copper

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Troffer

Figure 2: Distributed PoE switch zone cabling deployment.
Distributed Advantages

Distributed Disadvantages

Requires less cablingMore difficult to perform maintenance on equipmentin ceiling box/zone enclosure

Distance is less of a limitation

Decentralizes active equipment

Smaller PoE switches are generally morecost-effective

New power infrastructure needs to be run
into the ceiling

Table 2: Distributed PoE switch zone cabling advantages and disadvantages.

Directly-Attached Architecture vs. Node-Centric Architecture
Traditionally, direct-attached architectures (Figure 3) have been employed for PoE lighting deployments.
This means that there is a one-to-one relationship between PoE lighting units, switches, and any other items
attached via PoE to PoE ports on a switch. For as many PoE powered items attached to the network, there
should be an equal amount of PoE switch ports on the switch. This can get expensive due to the cost per
port of a PoE switch. Also, depending on the switch size, adding a PoE item could become expensive due tothe necessity of purchasing an additional switch for the PoE port for that item.

Figure 3: Directly-attached architecture.

5POE LIGHTING BENEFITS AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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Node-centric architectures allow for many items to be attached via one PoE switch port through a node.
In Figure 4, the node is connected via RJ45 copper cable. From the node, four canned lighting units areconnected via 18-22 AWG low-voltage electrical cabling. Only one PoE switch port is consumed, and fourlights are powered.
There are some limitations for node-centric architectures. Currently, a UPoE switch port (60 W per port)
can power only four canned lighting fixtures or one full 2×4 lighting troffer. This architecture could work
well if you have quite a few canned lighting fixtures in your deployment.

Figure 4: Node-centric architecture.

Converged vs. Separate Building Automation and Lighting Networks
Traditionally building automation networks have been operated by a separate, dedicated network. Building
automation networks have also tended to be controlled by Facilities/Operations Teams with little to no IT
involvement in the day-to-day operations of the network. With the introduction of PoE lighting, some ofthese traditional arrangements must transform to better accommodate the requirements that PoE lighting
can apply to a network.

Figure 5: Converged building automation IP network.

Building automation networks provide services such as access control, security cameras, and environmentalsensors. Whether to converge these services with the lighting network (Figure 5) is a choice that must occur
prior to installing the PoE lighting network. Table 3 and Table 4 list the advantages of both separate andconverged networks.
Note: Converging the enterprise LAN into the building automation and lighting network is not suggested.

6POE LIGHTING BENEFITS AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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Separate Network Advantages

Separate Network Disadvantages

Uses existing and proven technology

Requires more cabling

Traditionally the way things have occurred

More difficult to manage two separate
facilities networks

Table 3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Separate Building Automation
and PoE Lighting Networks.

Converged Network Advantages

Converged Network Disadvantages

Requires less cabling

Uses new and less proven technology

Easier to manage one network instead of two

Changes normal operations

Table 4: Advantages and Disadvantages of Converged Building
Automation and PoE Lighting Networks.
Several requirements must be met to successfully converge a building automation and PoE lighting network.
First, all building automation components must be IP-based or can be connected to an IP network throughan adapter or converter. Second, the installed network cabling must be capable of handling PoE (generally 28
AWG – 22 AWG twisted pair copper cabling). Finally, to gain the full value of a converged building automationand PoE lighting network, a single pane of glass management software package would be required.

Conclusion
LED lighting powered by PoE will be one of the most meaningful developments in our indoor environments
over the coming years. Benefits include increased energy savings and lower deployment costs, along withsimplified installation, flexibility, and improved reliability for powered devices. These enhancements greatly
contribute to overall effectiveness and efficiency that directly impact the performance of next-generation
smart buildings.
A company must make a multitude of deployment decisions once it chooses PoE lighting. This technology
brief helps to identify some of these decisions. It also provides some assistance to making informed choices
by providing advantages and disadvantages of each choice. In summary, this paper clearly shows theopportunity to improve efficiency offered by converging building automation and PoE lighting networks.
DISCLAIMER: This Technology Brief is for informational purposes only. Each customer should evaluate its own requirements prior todetermining the POE deployment strategy that best fits its needs.

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COTB14--WW-ENG 6/2022