When specifying network switches for an office, ISP deployment, or CCTV installation in Uganda, one of the first decisions you'll face is: do I need a PoE switch or a standard (non-PoE) switch? The answer has significant implications for your cabling, installation complexity, and total cost. This guide explains the difference clearly and helps you make the right choice for your specific deployment. Before selecting your switch, make sure your cabling infrastructure is correctly planned — see our Structured Cabling 101 guide for Ugandan SMEs and Offices and our guide on How to Set Up a Professional Network Rack for Your Office or ISP NOC. And for ISPs managing the subscribers connected through those switches, visit our ISP Billing Systems site.
What Is PoE and How Does It Work?
PoE (Power over Ethernet) is a technology that allows a network switch to deliver electrical power to connected devices through the same Cat6 Ethernet patch cable that carries data. Instead of running a separate power cable and needing a power outlet at every device location, a single Cat6 cable carries both data and power from the switch to the device.
This is particularly valuable for devices installed in locations where running a separate power cable is difficult or expensive — such as ceiling-mounted wireless access points, outdoor IP cameras on poles or walls, and VoIP phones on desks far from power outlets. For ISPs using PoE to power CPE devices at subscriber premises, manage all those subscribers centrally with our ISP Billing Systems.
PoE Standards: af, at, and bt Explained
Not all PoE is equal. There are three main IEEE PoE standards, each delivering different power levels:
- PoE (IEEE 802.3af): Up to 15.4W per port — suitable for IP cameras, basic wireless access points, VoIP phones, and IoT sensors
- PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at): Up to 30W per port — suitable for dual-band wireless access points, higher-power IP cameras, and IP intercoms
- PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt): Up to 60W or 100W per port — suitable for pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, thin clients, and high-power WAPs
Always check the power requirement of the devices you plan to connect before selecting a PoE switch. Using a standard PoE switch with a PoE+ device will result in the device not powering on or performing below specification. All PoE standards work with standard Cat6 Ethernet cables. For ISPs powering CPE with PoE, track every powered device and its subscriber with our ISP Billing Systems.
When to Choose a PoE Switch
A PoE switch is the right choice when you have one or more of the following in your deployment:
- IP cameras (CCTV): PoE cameras require only a single Cat6 cable run to each camera — no separate power supply needed. For outdoor cameras on poles or walls, use the Cat6 Outdoor 250ft UV-Resistant Cable or the Dutevolns Cat6 Indoor/Outdoor ETL-Verified Cable for runs that transition from outside to inside.
- Wireless access points (WAPs): Ceiling-mounted WAPs are ideal PoE candidates — running mains power to the ceiling is expensive and disruptive, but running a Cat6 bulk cable through the ceiling void is straightforward.
- VoIP phones: PoE-powered VoIP phones eliminate the need for separate power adapters on every desk.
- ISP CPE devices: The MikroTik hAP RouterBOARD 5-Port WiFi Router supports PoE-in, simplifying installation at subscriber premises where running mains power is impractical. Manage all those subscribers with our ISP Billing Systems.
- Remote distribution points: ISPs can use PoE switches to power remote network equipment without needing mains power at the distribution point. The MikroTik RBGPOE Gigabit PoE Injector (9–48V) is a flexible option for powering individual remote devices where a full PoE switch is not needed.
When a Non-PoE Switch Is Sufficient
A standard non-PoE switch is perfectly adequate when:
- All devices you're connecting have their own power supplies (desktop PCs, servers, NAS devices, printers)
- You have no IP cameras, WAPs, or VoIP phones in the deployment
- You're building a simple office LAN where all devices are within easy reach of power outlets
- Budget is a primary constraint and no PoE devices are planned in the near future
Non-PoE switches are less expensive and consume less power than PoE switches — making them the right choice for simple data-only networks. The D-Link DGS-105 5-Port Gigabit Switch is a reliable, no-frills option for small data-only office LANs. Connect it with Vention Cat6 Multi-Colour Patch Cables from NetEdge Supplies for reliable gigabit performance. And for ISPs running data-only networks, manage your subscriber billing efficiently with our ISP Billing Systems.
The PoE Budget: A Critical Consideration
Every PoE switch has a total PoE power budget — the maximum total wattage it can deliver across all PoE ports simultaneously. For example, a 24-port PoE+ switch might have a total PoE budget of 370W. If you connect 24 PoE+ devices each drawing 30W, you need 720W — far exceeding the budget.
Always calculate your total PoE power requirement before purchasing a switch:
- List every PoE device and its maximum power draw
- Add up the total watts
- Add a 20% safety margin
- Select a switch whose PoE budget meets or exceeds this total
Undersizing your PoE budget is one of the most common and frustrating mistakes in network deployments. Pair your correctly specified PoE infrastructure with our ISP Billing Systems for complete ISP subscriber management.
What Cat6 Cable Do You Need for PoE?
Standard Cat6 Ethernet cable is fully compatible with all PoE standards. You do not need special PoE cable. However, cable quality matters more with PoE than with data-only applications — poor quality cable with high resistance can cause voltage drop that prevents devices from powering on correctly at longer run lengths. For a full guide on choosing the right cable type for each part of your installation, see our Structured Cabling 101 guide.
Cable selection tips for PoE installations:
- Indoor PoE runs: Use the Cmple Cat6 1000ft 23AWG 550MHz Bulk Reel for wall runs, and the Vention Cat6 Multi-Colour Patch Cables for switch and patch panel connections.
- Outdoor PoE runs (external cameras, outdoor WAPs): Use the Cat6 Outdoor 250ft UV-Resistant Cable for long external runs, or the Dutevolns Cat6 Indoor/Outdoor ETL-Verified Cable for runs transitioning from outside to inside. Never use indoor cable outdoors in Uganda’s climate.
- Long PoE runs approaching 100 metres: Use quality Cat6 cable with solid copper conductors (not copper-clad aluminium) to minimise voltage drop.
Final Thoughts
The choice between PoE and non-PoE comes down to the devices you need to power. If you have IP cameras, wireless access points, or VoIP phones in your deployment — and most offices and ISPs in Uganda do — a PoE switch will save you significant installation time and cost by eliminating separate power supplies. Just ensure you match the PoE standard (af, at, bt) to your devices and size the PoE budget correctly. Once your switch is in place, see our guide on How to Set Up a Professional Network Rack to house it correctly.
Browse our Cat6 cables at NetEdge Supplies for all your PoE installation needs — the Cmple Cat6 1000ft Bulk Reel for indoor structured runs, the Cat6 Outdoor 250ft UV-Resistant Cable for external camera and WAP runs, and the Vention Cat6 Multi-Colour Patch Cables for organised rack connections. And manage every subscriber connected through your PoE network with our ISP Billing Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a PoE switch?
A: A PoE switch delivers both data and electrical power through a single Cat6 Ethernet cable to connected devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones — eliminating the need for separate power adapters. For ISPs powering CPE via PoE, manage those subscribers with our ISP Billing Systems.
Q: What devices require a PoE switch?
A: IP cameras, wireless access points, VoIP phones, IP intercoms, and some ISP CPE devices such as the MikroTik hAP RouterBOARD with PoE are commonly powered by PoE. A single Cat6 cable handles both data and power. Track every PoE-powered subscriber device with our ISP Billing Systems.
Q: What is the difference between PoE, PoE+, and PoE++?
A: Standard PoE (802.3af) delivers up to 15.4W per port. PoE+ (802.3at) delivers up to 30W. PoE++ (802.3bt) delivers up to 60–100W for high-power devices. Match the standard to your device requirements. Visit our ISP Billing Systems for managing the ISP network those devices connect to.
Q: Can I use a non-PoE switch with IP cameras or wireless access points?
A: Yes, using a PoE injector per device — the MikroTik RBGPOE Gigabit PoE Injector (9–48V) is a flexible option for powering individual devices without a full PoE switch. Connect with quality Cat6 patch cables from NetEdge Supplies. Manage ISP subscribers on that network with our ISP Billing Systems.
Q: What Cat6 cable do I need for PoE devices?
A: Use the Cmple Cat6 1000ft Bulk Reel for indoor structured runs, the Cat6 Outdoor 250ft UV-Resistant Cable for external camera and WAP runs, and the Dutevolns Cat6 Indoor/Outdoor Cable for runs transitioning from outside to inside. NetEdge Supplies stocks all of these. Pair your cabling with our ISP Billing Systems for full ISP subscriber management.
Q: Where can I buy Cat6 cables for PoE installations in Uganda?
A: NetEdge Supplies stocks the Cmple Cat6 1000ft Bulk Reel, Cat6 Outdoor 250ft UV-Resistant Cable, Dutevolns Cat6 Indoor/Outdoor Cable, and Vention Cat6 Multi-Colour Patch Cables for PoE installations across Uganda — with delivery across Uganda and East Africa. Visit our ISP Billing Systems for your complete ISP management solution.
