Patent ID: 7620825

Claim:
An Ethernet network device operable to receive both a power signal and a data signal through a coupled Ethernet network, comprising: an Ethernet network connector operable to physically couple the Ethernet network device to the Ethernet network, wherein the Ethernet network connector receives a plurality of twisted pairs; an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the Ethernet network connector comprising a power feed circuit and a surge protection circuit, wherein the power feed circuit is operable to: pass the received data signal to an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) module; and pass the received power signal to a power management module, wherein the power management module is operable to at least partially power the Ethernet network device from the received power signal; and the surge protection circuit interfaces to a diode bridge network and protects against surge voltage across a plurality of twisted pairs within the Ethernet network connector; the IC comprising an IC ground that tracks an Ethernet line ground wherein potential at the IC varies up to approximately 1500 volts from chassis ground of the Ethernet network device.