A system, comprising: a sub-system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a power sourcing equipment, the processor configured for: determining, based on a resistance of a channel coupling the power sourcing equipment to a powered device, an amount by which to increase a level of power provided to the powered device, characterized in that the amount is determined by selecting a base load in the powered device to receive power, determining respective priorities for a plurality of optional loads in the powered device, determining a respective power requirement of each of the plurality of optional loads in the powered device, and selecting one or more optional loads selected to receive power in order of priority until a power requirement of an additional optional load would cause the level of power provided to the powered device to exceed a maximum level of power based on the resistance of the channel; and outputting a command to the power sourcing equipment to increase the level of power and the amount by which to increase the level of power, wherein the amount is equal to a sum of the respective power requirements of the base load and the one or more optional loads selected to receive power. a sub-system comprising a processor communicatively coupled to a power sourcing equipment, the processor configured for: determining, based on a resistance of a channel coupling the power sourcing equipment to a powered device, an amount by which to increase a level of power provided to the powered device, characterized in that the amount is determined by selecting a base load in the powered device to receive power, determining respective priorities for a plurality of optional loads in the powered device, determining a respective power requirement of each of the plurality of optional loads in the powered device, and selecting one or more optional loads selected to receive power in order of priority until a power requirement of an additional optional load would cause the level of power provided to the powered device to exceed a maximum level of power based on the resistance of the channel; and outputting a command to the power sourcing equipment to increase the level of power and the amount by which to increase the level of power, wherein the amount is equal to a sum of the respective power requirements of the base load and the one or more optional loads selected to receive power. determining, based on a resistance of a channel coupling the power sourcing equipment to a powered device, an amount by which to increase a level of power provided to the powered device, characterized in that the amount is determined by selecting a base load in the powered device to receive power, determining respective priorities for a plurality of optional loads in the powered device, determining a respective power requirement of each of the plurality of optional loads in the powered device, and selecting one or more optional loads selected to receive power in order of priority until a power requirement of an additional optional load would cause the level of power provided to the powered device to exceed a maximum level of power based on the resistance of the channel; and outputting a command to the power sourcing equipment to increase the level of power and the amount by which to increase the level of power, wherein the amount is equal to a sum of the respective power requirements of the base load and the one or more optional loads selected to receive power.