Advantages of POE

POE technology is especially useful for powering IP telephones, wireless LAN access points, cameras with pan tilt and zoom (PTZ), remote Ethernet switches, embedded computers, thin clients and LCDs.

All these require more power than USB offers and very often must be powered over longer runs of cable than USB permits. In addition, PoE uses only one type of connector, an 8P8C modular connector, whereas there are numerous types of USB connectors.

PoE is presently deployed in applications where USB is unsuitable and where AC power would be inconvenient, expensive^{[note 1]} or infeasible to supply. However, even where USB or AC power could be used, PoE has several advantages over either, including the following:

• Cheaper cabling — even category 5 cable is cheaper than USB repeaters, and the task of meeting building code requirements to run AC power cable is eliminated.
• A Gigabit of data per second to every device is possible, which exceeds 2009 USB and the AC powerline networking capabilities.
• Global organizations can deploy PoE everywhere without concern for any local variance in AC power standards, outlets, plugs, or reliability.
• Direct injection from standard 48 V DC battery power arrays; this enables critical infrastructure to run more easily in outages, and make power rationing decisions centrally for all the PoE devices.
• Symmetric distribution is possible. Unlike USB and AC outlets, power can be supplied at either end of the cable or outlet. This means the location of the power source can be determined after cables and outlets are installed.