PoE Standards Explained: Which One Should You Use?

Setting up screens around your space used to mean running both power and data cables to every single device. Not anymore.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) makes it possible to send both electricity and network data through a single cable. That one change has made it easier and cheaper to install things like digital displays, security cameras, and even smart lighting in places where regular outlets just aren’t practical.

But not all PoE setups are the same. There are different standards, each with their own limits. Use the wrong one, and your device might not turn on at all.

This guide breaks it all down, so you can pick the right type of PoE for your needs.

What are PoE standards?

Power over internet standards are rules that define how much power can be delivered over an Ethernet cable. They're set by the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and they help keep things consistent from one device to the next.

The original PoE standard came out in 2003. It allowed low-power devices like early VoIP phones and simple cameras to get just enough power through their data cable. Since then, newer versions have added increased power for more demanding tech.

Each PoE standard sets a limit. It tells you how many watts a device can safely receive, and how much power a switch or injector needs to provide. 

Why is this important?

Well, too little power means the device won’t function, and too much can cause damage if things aren’t built to handle it.

You’ll find PoE powering a wide range of devices, including:

• IP security cameras
• VoIP desk phones
• Wireless access points
• Smart lighting systems
• Digital signage players
• Touchscreen kiosks and self-serve terminals
• Room scheduling panels
• Door entry and access control systems

PoE makes it easier to install these devices in tight spaces, high walls, or anywhere you’d rather not deal with extra outlets or power cords.

What are the different types of PoE?

There are three main PoE standards to know: PoE, PoE+, and PoE++. Each one supports a different amount of power, which means not every standard works with every device.

Here’s how they break down:

PoE (IEEE 802.3af)

This is the original PoE standard, and is also known as Type 1. It delivers a maximum power of 15.4 watts per port. After accounting for a bit of loss over the cable, the connected device usually gets around 12.95 watts.

PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at)

Also known as Type 2, this version came out in 2009. It bumps things up to 30 watts of power per port, with about 25.5 watts available to the device itself.

PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt)

Also known as Type 3 and Type 4 PoE, this is the latest standard, and the most powerful. It delivers between 60 watts (Type 3) and up to 100 watts (Type 4) per port, depending on your setup, and is great for devices with higher power requirements.

Best use cases for each PoE standard

The right PoE standard depends on the different devices you’re powering, and how much wattage that device needs to run reliably. Go too low, and things won’t turn on. Go too high with incompatible equipment, and you’re wasting resources (or worse, risking damage).

Here’s a quick guide to which standard fits best, based on the kind of gear you’re deploying:

PoE (Type 1 / IEEE 802.3af)

This one’s ideal for low-power devices that don’t need a lot of juice to stay online.

Good fits include:

• VoIP desk phones
• Basic IP cameras
• Entry-level Wi-Fi access points
• Room scheduling displays
• Small-format digital signage (like tablets or shelf-edge screens)

In general, if it’s a single-function device with no video, interactivity, or wireless broadcasting, PoE usually gets the job done.

PoE+ (Type 2 / IEEE 802.3at)

A step up in power, PoE+ opens the door for more complex devices.

Use it for:

• PTZ security cameras with zoom and motion
• Multi-band access points handling heavier traffic
• Interactive kiosks or touchscreen panels
• Mid-size digital signage players
• All-in-one screens that combine display and computing in one device

For many digital signage projects, especially those in retail, healthcare, or education, PoE+ offers a solid balance of power and flexibility.

Read more: Benefits of digital signage in retail

PoE++ (Type 3 & 4 / IEEE 802.3bt)

When you're working with power-hungry tech, this is the standard you want.

It’s built for:

• 4K digital signage setups
• Multi-output media players powering several screens
• Video conferencing equipment
• Smart LED lighting networks
• Thin clients or mini PCs deployed across office floors
• High-performance Wi-Fi 6/6E access points

PoE++ is especially helpful for digital signage teams rolling out large-format displays, video walls, or screens in tough environments where reliability is critical.

Read more: How to roll out digital signage

Coming up next, we’ll look at how this all connects to digital signage, what kind of PoE setup works best, and what to watch out for in your rollout.

Using PoE with your digital signage

If you’ve ever run an ac power and ethernet cable separately to a screen mounted six feet up a wall, you already know the headache PoE can save.

Power over Ethernet lets you power digital signage players, and in some cases, even the display itself using a single Ethernet cable. That makes installations faster, cleaner, and easier to scale.

Here’s how Power over Ethernet fits into typical digital signage setups:

• Media players: Many small-form signage players, especially Android or Linux-based devices, fall within PoE or PoE+ power limits. That makes them easy to mount behind screens or tuck inside enclosures with no nearby outlet.
• All-in-one displays: Some commercial displays come with built-in media players and PoE support. These are great for lobbies, meeting rooms, or retail shelf displays.
• Touch panels and kiosks: If your signage includes interactivity like wayfinding screens or check-in kiosks, PoE+ or PoE++ often delivers the wattage needed to keep them responsive and stable.
• Low-profile installations: In spaces where aesthetics matter (think hospitality, healthcare, or high-end retail), PoE cuts down on visible cables and bulky power bricks.

It’s also worth thinking about infrastructure. 

A PoE switch or injector gives you central control over power and networking, which means easier maintenance and troubleshooting down the line.

And if you're rolling out dozens or hundreds of screens, centralizing power through PoE makes scaling much less painful.

Bottom line: Whether you're managing corporate digital signage displays in a retail store, or school campus, PoE gives you more options for where and how you install your screens.

Read more: How to choose energy efficient displays

In summary

PoE makes powering devices simpler by combining electricity and data in one cable. Depending on how much power your device needs, you'll choose between:

• PoE (Type 1): Up to 15.4W
• PoE+ (Type 2): Up to 30W
• PoE++ (Type 3 & 4): Up to 60–100W

For digital signage, Type 2 is often the sweet spot for devices that support PoE, but Type 3 & 4 are quickly becoming the go-to for more advanced displays and players.

Ready to simplify your signage setup?

With ScreenCloud, you get a platform built to work with a wide range of networked devices, screens and digital signage players, from compact kiosks to large-format displays. Our solution is also plug and play , so setup is fast (faster still if you’re using PoE to power your devices.)

No extra wiring. No messy installs. Just one cable for power and connectivity, and you’re up and running.

Whether you're installing one screen or one hundred, our software helps you manage it all without the hassle. 

Start a 14 days free trial and see how easy digital signage can be.