5/16/22

2022 NFPA Conference & Expo

q PoE Basics
q Origins and Evolution

Power over Ethernet (PoE) for q How PoE Works

Installers and Inspectors

q IEEE Standard Compliant PoE

Agenda q Non-Compliant PoE

q NFPA 70 – NEC
Presented by:
q Designing, Planning, and Installing PoE
Chad Jones – Technical Leader
q Installations
Jason Potterf – Technical Leader
Joel Goergen – Cisco Fellow q Inspection
Cisco Systems, Inc.
2

1 2

What is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

• Simply stated, this is adding power to the same cable that already
provides Ethernet communications
• Cables that once only carried data now also provide power

PoE Basics

3 4

3 4

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Why are we talking about PoE in the NEC? Cable Bundles

• Current will heat this cable
• These cables are usually bundled, and this can exacerbate heating
• PoE is low voltage, limited power, and adheres to Class 2 limits,
therefore PoE is in Chapter 7.

5 6

5 6

The basics of bundle heating • PSE – Power Sourcing

Equipment, the power supply (a
• If all the cables in a bundle are carrying Class 2 power source)
current, they will all contribute heat
• PD – Powered Device, the load
• Naturally, the cable in the center of the
bundle will be the hottest • Endpoint – PSE integrated into
Definitions an Ethernet switch
• PoE has existed since 1999, the industry
has taken this into account • Midspan – PSE located
between a switch and a PD
• Bundle heating is the focus of PoE
system design, installation, and inspection • Pairset – two complementary
pairs in the four-pair Category
• Just like 310.15(C)(1) derates for more cable
than one current carrying conductor
7 8

7 8

2
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PD
Definitions PoE System Midspan PSE PD

5G Small Cell

• Category Cable: cables defined

PSE
by TIA/EIA-568-C, typically for
telecommunications installations.
These are balanced twisted pair PD
cabling with 4 twisted pairs (8
conductors) in one sheath.

PD

Source: Jason Tuenge, Karsten Kelly, Michael Poplawski, “Connected Lighting

Systems Efficiency Study — PoE Cable Energy Losses, Part 1”, US Dept of 9 10
Energy

9 10

PoE is Everywhere

Origins and Evolution

11 12

11 12

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The IP Phone PoE Development Summary

PoE, like most innovations, Standard Type Classes Min V Max V Max I PSE Power
started as a solution to a
problem. People were IEEE 1 0,1,2,3 44V 57V 350mA 15.4W
accustomed to a phone being 802.3af
a standalone device – i.e., not (Jun ‘03)
needing a separate power IEEE 2 0,1,2,3,4 50V 57V 600mA 30W
supply. 802.3at
In 1999, Cisco developed a (Oct ‘09)
proprietary PoE method to IEEE 3, 4 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 52V 57V 1732mA 90W
deliver up to 7W for phones. 802.3bt
(Sep ‘18)
13 14

13 14

Account for Cable Loss IEEE 802.3 PSE and PD power by class

Class PSE Power (W) PD Power (W)

Up to 100m (328ft) 1 4 3.84
PSE PD
2 7 6.49
0, 3 15.4 13
4 30 25.5
Allowed PD power draw is reduced by an assumed worse case cable loss 5 45 40
6 60 51
7 75 62
8 90 71.3
15 16

15 16

4

How PoE Works
17
17
Basic PoE System Diagram, Endpoint
Power is applied to transformer
center taps
This is known as phantom
powering
Note there are 4 distinct current
paths
Each current path uses two
conductors in parallel
There are two kinds of PSEs,
Endpoint and Midspan
Endpoint is the most common
19
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
19
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Basic PoE System Diagram, Endpoint
Power is applied to transformer
center taps
This is known as phantom
powering
Note there are 4 distinct current
paths
Each current path uses two
conductors in parallel
There are two kinds of PSEs,
Endpoint and Midspan
Endpoint is the most common
18
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
18
Basic PoE System Diagram, Endpoint
Power is applied to transformer
center taps
This is known as phantom
powering
Note there are 4 distinct current
paths
Each current path uses two
conductors in parallel
There are two kinds of PSEs,
Endpoint and Midspan
Endpoint is the most common
20
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
20
5
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Basic PoE System Diagram, Endpoint
Power is applied to transformer
center taps
This is known as phantom
powering
Note there are 4 distinct current
paths
Each current path uses two
conductors in parallel
There are two kinds of PSEs,
Endpoint and Midspan
Endpoint is the most common
Basic PoE System Diagram, Endpoint
Power is applied to transformer
center taps
This is known as phantom
powering
Note there are 4 distinct current
paths
Each current path uses two
conductors in parallel
There are two kinds of PSEs,
Endpoint and Midspan
Endpoint is the most common

21 22
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt

21 22

Basic PoE System Diagram, Midspan PoE System Diagram, Simplified

Midspan, as the name implies, is
power that is added to an Icable R cable
existing network with a PSE that
sits between a switch and the
PD
Note that with the exception of
the location of the PSE, the ) −4∗𝑅
𝑉&'( − 𝑉&'( !"#$% ∗ 𝑃&*
diagram is identical to the
Endpoint 𝐼!"#$% =
2 ∗ 𝑅!"#$% P PD
V PSE

23 24
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt

23 24

6

2P vs 4P Systems
A 2 pair (2P) system uses only
two of the available four pairs in
a Category cable. IEEE 802.3af
and 802.3at are 2P standards.
Why?
This was the 10/100M days
where data was only 2P,
therefore PoE had to match.
This is pairset 1,2 3,6
25
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
25
2P vs 4P Systems
A 4 pair (4P) system uses all
four pairs in a Category cable.
IEEE 802.3bt is a 4P standard.
The 4P system will have Rcable
that is one half of the same
system using only 2P.
27
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
27
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2P vs 4P Systems
A 2 pair (2P) system uses only
two of the available four pairs in
a Category cable. IEEE 802.3af
and 802.3at are 2P standards.
This is pairset 4,5 7,8, the so-
called ‘spare pair’ in 10/100.
The two pairsets are two
independent loops.
26
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt
26
IEEE Standard Compliant PoE
28
28
7

IEC60950
Why start a presentation
on PoE with a summary of
IEC60950 Safety Extra
Low Voltage (SELV) and
Limited Power Source
(LPS)?
29
IEC60950 Limited Power Source (LPS)
• A limited power source shall comply with one of the following:
• – the output is inherently limited in compliance with table 2B; or
31
5/16/22
• IEEE 802.3 standards are IEC60950 Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV)
not safety documents
• 2.2.1 SELV CIRCUITS shall exhibit voltages that are safe to touch both
• IEEE 802.3 points to other under normal operating conditions and after a single fault. If no external load
standards for safety is applied to the SELV CIRCUIT, the voltage limits of 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 shall not
be exceeded.
• IEEE 802.3 compliant PoE • 2.2.2 The voltage between any two conductors of the SELV CIRCUIT or
was built upon the CIRCUITS, and between any one such conductor and earth, shall not exceed
42.4 V peak, or 60 VDC, under normal operating conditions.
IEC60950 safety standard
• 2.2.3 In the event of a single fault, the voltages between any two conductors
• IEEE 802.3 complies to of the SELV CIRCUIT or CIRCUITS and between any one such conductor
IEC60950 SELV and LPS and earth shall not exceed 42.4 V peak, or 60 VDC, for longer than 0.2 s.
Moreover, a limit of 71 V peak, or 120 VDC, shall not be exceeded.
29 30
Text Source: IEC60950-1 Edition 2.2 2013-05
30
NEC Class 2 Circuits
IEEE compliant PoE ports are NEC Class 2 Limited Power Circuits
31 32
Image Source: IEC60950-1 Edition 2.2 2013-05 Image Source: NFPA 70, 2017 edition
32
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PoE vs NEC Class 2

• IEEE PoE goes beyond the safety provided by NEC Class 2 circuits • Detection
• IEEE PoE is a smart powering method
• Classification
• Before power is applied, IEEE PoE requires that a PSE detects the
presence of a PD requesting power IEEE 802.3 PoE • Power Up
• Normal Operation
• Power Removal

33 34

33 34

PD Detection PD Classification
• Detection is the sensing of a • Once a PD is detected, the
proper load requiring power PSE moves to classification,
• No power is available at the PSE which occurs in the range
port without a PD connected between 7V and 20.5V
• Detection occurs in a range • Classification is one to five
between 2.8V and 10V pulses that allow both the PSE
• Open circuit limit of 30V and 5mA and PD to fully know the status
for detection of their partner (mutual ID)
• Detection is looking for a 24.9k • Classification allows a PSE to
resistance set current policing limits and
to adjust power budget
35 36

35 36

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PD Power Up Power Removal

• Only after the PD is successfully detected and classified can power • Disconnecting the PD will cause power removal. The PSE returns to
be applied detection probing.
• PSE port voltage during power on is 44V, 50V, or 52V minimum • Power removal for overcurrent is a complex set of limits defined in
(dependent on PSE Type) an upper/lower bound template
• PSE max port voltage is 57V for all Types • The lowerbound template sets the minimums a PSE must provide to
guarantee powering compliant PDs
• The upperbound template sets limits to protect the PSE, PD, and
cabling from overcurrent

37 38

37 38

Power Removal Continued The PoE Classes

PD # of PPSE PPD ICABLE MAX Max Rated Current
• Worst case fault conditions that
Class Classification Per Conductor
turn PSE power off: Must remove power Events
• 1.75A per pair for 75ms m ay 2 Pair 4 Pair

1.3A per pair for 4s re m 1 1 4W 3.84W 91mA 45mA 20mA

•
ove
Greater than 0.96A per pair longer pow 2 1 7W 6.49W 159mA 80mA 35mA
•
than 4s er 3 1 15.4W 13W 350mA 175mA 77mA
• These numbers are for Class 8 and are 4 2 30W 25.5W 600mA 300mA 150mA
per pairset specifications
5 4 45W 40W 900mA NA 225mA
• Genuine PSEs will remove power 6 4 60W 51W 1200mA NA 300mA
before any of these conditions are
7 5 75W 62W 1442mA NA 361mA
met to protect components
8 5 90W 71.3W 1731mA NA 433mA
39 40
Image Source: IEEE 802.3bt

39 40

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IEEE Compliant max rated current per conductor PoE System Diagram, Simplified
Icable R cable
90W / 52V = 1.73A

1.73A / 4 = 0.433A
) −4∗𝑅
𝑉&'( − 𝑉&'( !"#$% ∗ 𝑃&*
𝐼!"#$% =
2 ∗ 𝑅!"#$% P PD
V PSE

41 42

41 42

PoE is a Constant Power System IEEE 802.3bt worst case example

) −4∗𝑅
𝑉&'( − 𝑉&'( !"#$% ∗ 𝑃&*
• Recall the equation for 𝐼!"#$% =
2 ∗ 𝑅!"#$%
• The currents presented on the previous slide are the worst-case
rated currents
• These are derived from the minimum VPSE, max PPD, and Rcable
• Real systems don’t operate at the mins and maxes
• PDs are constant power; the power consumption of the PD does not
change if any of the three variables change
• A change in any variable results in a reduction of cable current
• Long way of saying: you will never find a system at the rated current
43

43 44

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Realistic Cable Resistance Realistic PSE Voltage and Cable Resistance

1.49 A (=0.37A/conductor)

54V

45 46

Recap IEEE Standard Compliant PoE

• Based on IEC60950 safety • Once a PD is detected and
standard powered, the PSE monitors
power and disconnects within
• Complies to NEC Class 2
limits imposed under LPS
• No power is available at a port
• Short circuits must be
without a valid PD
• But if power was available, it
disconnected within 75ms, but
typically happens much faster Non-Compliant PoE
falls into the safe to touch range

47 48

47 48

12
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Non-compliant PoE: Success breeds low-cost imitation How to tell the difference?
• Easy: • Hard:
• No detection to protect devices • Simple power couplers/splitters • Multi-port sources or Integrated PDs
not requesting power look like standard PoE network
• Look for separate ‘brick’ power
• No classification to set current supply coupled in or out equipment
limits • Often not standard PoE • Misleading labels
• No standardization of voltage • May need to read datasheets
(Provision of 5V, 12V, or 24V
saves conversion costs at the Add your own DC
source to a coupler –
expense of cable loss and reach) Not PoE

• No inherent current/power limiting

– direct coupling of any source to a
line Power source, cable, but
no Ethernet! – Not PoE
49 50

49 50

Look for 725.121(C) Required Marking Recap IEEE Standard Compliant PoE
Certifying 802.3-based PoE
• Beyond labeling current & voltage
• Products tested against 802.3 PoE
standards
• Includes detection, classification,
disconnect and other standard
features
• Includes power class (current
levels) for PDs & PSEs
• Identifies interoperable PSEs, PDs

51 52

51 52

13
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53

Ethernet Alliance PoE Certification Logo

PD PSE
Arrow in implies
input power

Arrow out implies

output power
NFPA 70

Number indicates IEEE Class

53
54

53 54

NFPA 70 725.144(A) NEC©-2023 Second Revision

• Article 725 underwent significant change for 2023
• Class 1 moved to its own Article 724
• Cables got their own Article 722
• All or parts of 725.3, 133, 141, 143, 154, and 179 move to 722
• 725.121 renumbered to 725.60, 725.170 renumbered to 725.160
• 725.2 moved to 100; 725.10 added (Hazardous Locations)
(A) Use of 4-Pair Class 2 or Class 3 Cables to Transmit Power and Data.
Where TypesType CL3P, Type CL2P, Type CL3R, Type CL2R, Type CL3, or Type CL2 4-pair
cables transmit power and data, the rated current per conductor of the power source shall
not exceed the ampacities in Table 725.144 at an ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F).
For ambient temperatures above 30°C (86°F), the correction factors in Table
310.15(B)(1)(1) or in Equation 310.15(B) shall apply.
Exception: Compliance with Table 725.144 shall not be required for installations where
conductors are 24 AWG or larger and the rated current per conductor of the power source
does not exceed 0.3 amperes.
Informational Note: One example of the use of Class 2 cables is a network of closed-circuit TV cameras
using 24 AWG, 60°C rated, Type CL2R, Category 5e balanced twisted-pair cabling.

• But, PoE was stable this cycle with only minor tweaks

55 56
Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report

55 56

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725.144(A) NEC©-2023 Second Revision 725.144(B) NEC©-2023 Second Revision

(A) Use of 4-Pair Class 2 or Class 3 Cables to Transmit Power and Data. (B) Use of Class 2-LP or Class 3-LP Cables to Transmit Power and Data.
Where TypesType CL3P, Type CL2P, Type CL3R, Type CL2R, Type CL3, or Type CL2 4-pair
cables transmit power and data, the rated current per conductor of the power source shall
TypesType CL3P-LP, Type CL2P-LP, Type CL3R-LP, Type CL2R-
not exceed the ampacities in Table 725.144 at an ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F). LP, Type CL3-LP, or Type CL2-LP cables shall be permitted to supply
For ambient temperatures above 30°C (86°F), the correction factors in Table power to equipment from a power source with a rated current per
310.15(B)(1)(1) or in Equation 310.15(B) shall apply.
Exception: Compliance with Table 725.144 shall not be required for installations where
• 4-pair not added to this text as the ‘LP’ qualification process replaces Table
conductors are 24 AWG or larger and the rated current per conductor of the power
source does not exceed 0.3 amperes. 725.144 and will be adjusted to the number of conductors
Informational Note: One example of the use of Class 2 cables is a network of closed-circuit TV cameras
using 24 AWG, 60°C rated, Type CL2R, Category 5e balanced twisted-pair cabling.

57 58
Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report

57 58

725.60(C) NEC©-2023 Second Revision Table 725.144 NEC©-2023 Second Revision

UNCHANGED FROM 2020, ASIDE FROM MOVING FROM 725.121

(C) Marking. The equipment supplying the circuits shall be durably marked where plainly
visible … shall have a label indicating the maximum voltage and rated current output per
conductor for each connection point on the power source. Where multiple connection
points have the same rating, a single label shall be permitted to be used.
Informational Note No. 1: Rated current for power sources covered in 725.144 is the output current per
conductor the power source is designed to deliver to an operational load at normal operating
conditions, as declared by the manufacturer.
Informational Note No. 2: An example of a label is “52V @ 0.433A, 57V MAX” for an IEEE 802.3
compliant Class 8 power source.
The table is unchanged from 2020
We will discuss how to use this table later in the presentation

59 60
Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report

59 60

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PoE related Articles in NEC

• 725.144 gives requirements on ampacity and bundling
• 725.60(C) gives requirements on marking

Designing, Planning, and

Installing PoE

61 62

61 62

Multiple documents But first... Some structured cabling basics

to guide plans NEC provides rules for
currents based on • “Structured cabling”, has been
installation practice
the basis of data cabling since
• NEC the late 1980s
• Exception for < 0.3 A/conductor • Specified in TIA-568 series
• Bundling tables / LP cabling of documents
TIA 568.2-D-2 and TIA TSB-184-A*
Low voltage installers are
•
•
• Bundling tables & modeling IEEE provides trained on this, and certify
TIA provides cabling
information for engineering standards and practices
currents based on
installations to TIA-568
supervision cabling resistance
based on currents and application
• IEEE 802.3 • Divides the installation into
areas with different
Current levels based on power
characteristics
•
classification

63 64
*here TIA means Telecommunications Industry Association, not to be confused with Tentative Interim Amendment

63 64

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Horizontal Cabling TIA-568-D.2 Specifies copper cabling and

Matters for PoE components
• For data, most installations certify and specify to Category
• TIA-568-D.2 is the latest • TIA Category (5e, 6, 6a) defines data communications performance
specification • Most installations today are “Cat” 5e or 6 - trend is away from 5e towards 6 and 6A
• Cabling & components are certified, • Growing number of installations are “Cat 6A” - Recommended by many cable & system OEMs
for PoE
tested, and labeled to TIA-568
standards • Cabling is generally marked as to gauge and Category

• TIA-568 architecture divides wiring

into horizontal cable and cords
Conductor Temperature NEC cable type
• Permanently installed cabling is
TIA-568 Category
Gauge rating (UL) (CMR, CMG, CMP...)
called “horizontal cabling”
• What users often see are cords.

65 66

65 66

TSB-184-A: Basic approach –

Guidelines made with multi- Measurements are fitted
vendor measurements to a heating curve 15

• Cable bundles measured for

maximum heat at center of • According to Joule’s law, 10

bundle

Temperature rise (F)

heating is proportional to square
• Assumes all conductors are of the current
energized • The point (0,0) corresponds to
5

no temperature rise in the un-

energized bundle. 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5

• This is a BOUNDARY CONDITION – Current (A)

something always true and

independent of measurements Note – TIA TSB-184-A refers to current
Thermocouples inserted into
per PAIR of conductors (2x the current
cables in centers of bundles per conductor referred to in the NEC)
67 68

67 68

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TSB-184A models by TSB-184-A provides guidance in different formats

Category of cabling
Example 1:
Table of maximum bundle size for 15℃ rise at 45℃ ambient
• Category is what is specified for most low Example 3:
voltage installations, to ensure data Temperature rise with 500mA/conductor in air at 45℃
performance
• Category is what low voltage installers
usually certify to, per contracts
• Category ROUGHLY corresponds to Example 2:
Equation for ampacity (per pair) vs. bundle size, cable
minimum conductor AWG and to types of temperature rating, ambient temp, and category (coefficients
construction (there are exceptions) C1 and C2)
• Typically:
• Cat5e typically 24 AWG, usually unshielded (UTP)
• Cat6 is 23-24 AWG, UTP or with a foil shield
• Cat6a is 22-23 AWG either with metal screening or
Source: Jason Tuenge, Karsten Kelly, Michael Poplawski, “Connected Lighting Systems
larger diameter jacketing
Efficiency Study — PoE Cable Energy Losses, Part 1”, US Dept of Energy, Nov 2017
(revised Jan 2019),
69 70
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/01/f58/cls_poe-cable-pt1.pdf

69 70

Yes, this is complicated Table 725.144 NEC©-2020

Number of 4-Pair Cables in a Bundle
• An engineer can use TSB-184-A and 1-7 8-19 20-37 38-61 62-91 92-192
AWG Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating
568.2-D-2 to create an engineered 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C
solution 26 1.00 1.23 1.42 0.71 0.87 1.02 0.55 0.68 0.78 0.46 0.57 0.67 0.45 0.55 0.64 NA NA NA
24 1.19 1.46 1.69 0.81 1.01 1.17 0.63 0.78 0.91 0.55 0.67 0.78 0.46 0.56 0.65 0.40 0.48 0.55
• That would likely require walking the 23 1.24 1.53 1.78 0.89 1.11 1.28 0.77 0.95 1.10 0.66 0.80 0.93 0.58 0.71 0.82 0.45 0.55 0.63
inspector through compliance 22 1.50 1.86 2.16 1.04 1.28 1.49 0.77 0.95 1.11 0.66 0.82 0.96 0.62 0.77 0.89 0.53 0.63 0.72

• There are easier ways to guarantee

compliance

71 72
Table Source: NFPA 70 2020

71 72

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Table 725.144 NEC©-2020 Table 725.144 adjusted to 45°C ambient

Number of 4-Pair Cables in a Bundle Number of 4-Pair Cables in a Bundle
1-7 8-19 20-37 38-61 62-91 92-192 1-7 8-19 20-37 38-61 62-91 92-192
AWG Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating AWG Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating Temperature Rating
60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C 90°C
26 1.00 1.23 1.42 0.71 0.87 1.02 0.55 0.68 0.78 0.46 0.57 0.67 0.45 0.55 0.64 NA NA NA 26 0.71 1.00 1.23 0.50 0.71 0.88 0.39 0.56 0.68 0.33 0.47 0.58 0.32 0.45 0.55 NA NA NA
24 1.19 1.46 1.69 0.81 1.01 1.17 0.63 0.78 0.91 0.55 0.67 0.78 0.46 0.56 0.65 0.40 0.48 0.55 24 0.84 1.19 1.46 0.57 0.82 1.01 0.45 0.64 0.79 0.39 0.55 0.68 0.33 0.46 0.56 0.28 0.39 0.48
23 1.24 1.53 1.78 0.89 1.11 1.28 0.77 0.95 1.10 0.66 0.80 0.93 0.58 0.71 0.82 0.45 0.55 0.63 23 0.88 1.25 1.54 0.63 0.91 1.11 0.54 0.78 0.95 0.47 0.65 0.81 0.41 0.58 0.71 0.32 0.45 0.55
22 1.50 1.86 2.16 1.04 1.28 1.49 0.77 0.95 1.11 0.66 0.82 0.96 0.62 0.77 0.89 0.53 0.63 0.72 22 1.06 1.52 1.87 0.74 1.05 1.29 0.54 0.78 0.96 0.47 0.67 0.83 0.44 0.63 0.77 0.37 0.51 0.62

Highlighted for IEEE Class 8 current, one cell is less than 0.433A Currents corrected to a 45℃ ambient using the equation in 310.15(B)(2)
• 45℃ is the max ambient assumed in TIA TSB-184-A
• To be TIA-568 compliant, the horizontal must be 24AWG or larger

73 74
Table Source: NFPA 70 2020

73 74

The code does offer a way to avoid all this analysis Bundles Simple lookup of max bundle
size for a given AWG
LP Cable Large, organized bundles are
• (60℃ cable, 45℃ ambient)
725.144 (B) Use of Class 2-LP or Class 3-LP Cables to Transmit Power and Data. the worst case
TypesType CL3P-LP, Type CL2P-LP, Type CL3R-LP, Type CL2R-LP, Type CL3-LP, or Type CL2-LP cables shall be permitted to supply
power to equipment from a power source with a rated current per conductor up to the marked current limit located immediately following
the suffix “-LP” and shall be permitted to transmit data to the equipment. Where the number of bundled LP cables is 192 or less and the • Recommend bundles be AWG Max Bundle
selected ampacity of the cables in accordance with Table 725.144 exceeds the marked current limit of the cable, the ampacity determined
from the table shall be permitted to be used. For ambient temperatures above 30°C (86°F), the correction factors of Table limited to 24 Size
310.15(B)(1)(1) or Equation 310.15(B) shall apply. The Class 2-LP and Class 3-LP cables shall comply with the following, as applicable:
1. Cables with the suffix “-LP” shall be permitted to be installed in bundles, raceways, cable trays, communications raceways, and • Those bundles are not bundled 24 37
cable routing assemblies.
2. Cables with the suffix “-LP” and a marked current limit shall follow the substitution hierarchy of 722.135(E) for the cable type
together 23 61
without the suffix “-LP” and without the marked current limit.
3. System design shall be permitted by qualified persons under engineering supervision.
• Can be as large as 37 without 22 91
Informational Note: An example of the marking on a 23 AWG, 4-pair, Class 2 cable rated 75°C with an LP current rating of 0.6 amperes per conductor is “CL2-LP(0.6A)
75°C 23 AWG 4-pair”. See 722.179(A)(9).
any extra consideration

If you must use LP cable, use LP-0.6 cable for new PoE installations For new installations, Cisco recommends Cat6a, 75℃ cable

75 76
Text Source: NFPA 70 2023 Second Draft Report

75 76

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PoE Cabling design Choices Cable Trays

Up to 60W, standard 24 AWG • Easy design – no bundling
cable? requirements

• Cable trays can be used.

• Typical: 1” depth tray fill
37 cables in a bundle, and nothing • Easy design – up to full Class 8
less than 24 AWG? IEEE 802.3 PoE • Can lay as loose cable or
bundles
• Larger depth tray can be
Special needs? – consult
• Beyond standard power levels, OR
• High bundle-count needs, OR
used but filled depth needs
tables or engineering
supervision • Small conductor sizes checked for compliance

77 78

77 78

• Source of the 1” fill Cable Tray Fill

recommendation from
TR-42.7 This is the 37- This is the 37-cable bundle extrapolated
• 1” fill is below 15℃ rise cable bundle out to a cable tray install
• 2” fill is over 20℃ rise
• Conservative choice
• Note: Cat 5e only

Same thing as a 7-layer tray fill

79 80
Image Source: TIA TR-42.7 submission “PoE Temp of Cables in Tray, Brian Marchant, Paul Vanderlaan, Berk-Tek

79 80

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Cable Tray Fill Depth Measuring Fill Depth • Spreadsheet available in the
NFPA app:

AWG Max Bundle Max Layer Count

• Larger AWG can Size in Cable Tray • Fill depth can be calculated
accommodate more fill depth with this equation:
24 37 7
• The layer count is directly 23 61 9 • 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = 𝑂𝐷 + (𝑛 − 1)
!
OD
derived from max bundle size "
22 91 11 • OD = outside diameter
• Maintains compliance to Table
725.144 • n = number of layers
• A spreadsheet was created to
help translate depth to layer
count
81 82

81 82

Cable Bundles in a Tray Labeling

• PSEs are required to have a • Cisco suggests:
marking under 725.60(C)
Nominal Voltage@Rated Current,
• At a minimum, the marking Max Voltage
SHALL indicate the maximum
voltage and rated output
current per conductor 52V@0.433A, 57V MAX

• Also, can look for EA logo

83 84

83 84

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EA Logo

• Logo number indicates

the IEEE Class
• Currently includes 1-4

• Gen 2 adds 5-8,

coming later in 2019
• Logo could be in any of
the forms shown
Installations
• If logo number is 6 or
less, then the 0.3A
exemption applies

85 86

85 86

What do PoE installs look like?

• A hospital
Pictures are from a • 4503 cables, 883
case study carried PoE
• ~14kW of PoE delivered

87 88

87 88

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What do PoE installs look like? What do PoE installs look like?

89 90

89 90

What do PoE installs look like? What do PoE installs look like?

91 92

91 92

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Where will I find large bundles of PoE? PoE in a home, an example

• NOT in the home
• Enterprise
• Hospitals
• Universities

93 94

93 94

Inspection
• A section on inspection would look a lot like the preceding slides
• Inspector, installers and designers are all focused on the same
restrictions
• What follows is a recommended checklist for PoE inspections

Inspection

95 96

95 96

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Inspection Inspection
• What is the max current per conductor? • Is the cable:
• 0.3A or less? Pass • Cat6a, 75℃ in bundles 192 or less?
• Other Cat cable but 23AWG, 75℃ in bundles of 192 or less?
• How many ports of PoE are available in each location?
• LP cable (LP 0.6)?
• 37 or less? Pass
• 23AWG, 60℃ cable in bundles of 61 or less
• In bundles of 37 or less?

• If yes to any of the above, Pass

97 98

97 98

2022 NFPA Conference & Expo

Inspection
• If the answer was NO to the previous questions, the design engineer CEUs: To receive CEUs for this session, be sure to
should walk the inspector through compliance. have your badge scanned

Evaluation: Complete a session evaluation on the mobile

app

Handouts: Handouts will be available via the mobile app

and at nfpa.org/conference

99

99 100

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