The power consumption of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch can vary based on several factors, including the number of ports, the type of PoE standard it supports, and the load from connected devices. Here are general guidelines for understanding PoE switch power consumption: Typical Power Consumption Ranges
Most PoE switches consume between 10 to 50 watts when idle, depending on the model and features.
- Active Power Consumption:
PoE (IEEE 802.3af): Up to 15.4 watts per port. A fully loaded 8-port switch could consume about 60 to 120 watts.
PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at): Up to 30 watts per port. A 24-port PoE+ switch could consume around 300 to 600 watts when fully loaded.
Each PoE switch has a total power budget that limits the combined power output across all PoE ports. For example, a switch with a total budget of 370 watts can distribute that power to connected devices based on their requirements.
For a 24-port PoE+ switch with a **370-watt** budget:
If all ports are fully utilized at 30 watts each, you could support a maximum of 12 devices.
If devices are using less power (e.g., 20 watts), you can connect more devices within the 370-watt limit.
Conclusion
To find the exact power consumption for a specific PoE switch, it's best to consult the manufacturer's specifications, which typically list both idle and maximum power consumption figures.