This tester can verify and troubleshoot Ethernet cabling issues, displaying a simple indication of the available power class as reported by the switch, according to Ethernet Alliance designations. This information indicates whether sufficient power is available for the device.
PoE offers substantial benefits in terms of cost, efficiency, and flexibility, leading to an explosion of powered devices such as cameras, access points, and displays, along with the switches that support them. Unfortunately, the term "PoE" is not defined by any single standard, and a wide variety of standardized and semi-standardized implementations are available. Even more confusing are the multiple standards, multiple power levels, and a variety of non-standardized names such as "PoE+," "PoE++," and other designations. The result is that even experts find it difficult to know which devices will work together.
The Ethernet Alliance launched a certification program to end this confusion. Power levels and requirements are designated by a number from zero to eight, indicating the power supply's rating (or "class") or the required power. Technicians simply need to ensure that the power supply's class number is equal to or greater than the power class of the device being powered. When connected to a PoE switch, the MicroScanner PoE will display the maximum power class indicated by the switch, making it easy for technicians to determine if the switch and device are compatible.
The MicroScanner PoE also provides a comprehensive set of tools for technicians installing both PoE and non-PoE devices. Cable tweaking, built-in toner, and distance-to-fault indicators can quickly pinpoint wiring problems. When connected to a live switch port, the unit displays the port speed up to 10 Gbps, which is especially useful for troubleshooting slow access points. Cable identifiers can be used to trace which cable goes where.
“Ensuring the quality of a PoE network installation is a three-step process,” according to Harley Lang, RCDD, Director of Marketing at Fluke Networks. “First, designers should use EA PoE certification to ensure their selected equipment will work together. Second, the cabling installation must be certified to meet not only the category cabling requirements but also the resistance measurements that are critical for PoE. Third, technicians should be equipped with tools like the MicroScanner PoE so they can ensure they are properly connected to the devices that can supply the necessary power.”.
