Ethernet Alliance PoE Certification Testing

Ethernet Alliance PoE certification

The wide variety of Power over Ethernet (PoE) products in the market are raising interoperability issues and causing market confusion. Manufacturers and vendors must address these concerns and provide evidence of successful performance compliance testing resulting in improved interoperability and end user experience.

The Ethernet Alliance PoE Certification tests PoE products designed to the applicable IEEE 802.3 PoE clauses and provides confidence to the end customers their PoE products will interoperate with multiple manufacturers.

UL Solutions has received approval from the Ethernet Alliance to conduct PoE certification testing as of the Ethernet Alliance’s authorized testing laboratories.

UL Solutions Taiwan facility provides PoE performance and interoperability testing services

We help power sourcing equipment (PSE) and powered devices (PDs) manufacturers demonstrate compliance with the Ethernet Alliance’s PoE certification program. We assess products using the approved Ethernet Alliance test plan, to determine the product's compliance. The test plan focuses upon assessing the proper product operation.

PoE enables devices to provide and utilize power over twisted pair communication cables in between the PSE and PD. PSE is comprised of end-span devices such as switches with integrated PoE capabilities and midspan devices that are typically used to add PoE capabilities to existing infrastructure. Both configurations provide controlling power to PDs, such as wireless access points, phones, cameras, speakers, LED lighting and other remote or edge devices.

UL Solutions Taipei, Taiwan laboratory tests Type 1-4 and Class 1-8 PSE and PDs. Furthermore, these devices may be certified by the Ethernet Alliance allowing the manufacturer to use the EA Certified Logo, providing end customers a clear indicator of the devices’ PoE capabilities.

We can provide research testing on prototypes and finished products.   Combined with our deep industry expertise, we can help identify problems, expedite your time to market and increase customer acceptance of your PoE devices.

Why UL Solutions

UL Solutions has long been recognized as a third-party provider of compliance testing to safety and performance standards and regulations in the global telecommunications industry, and we are rapidly expanding our ethernet industry expertise. Our global telecommunications industry service advantages include:

• UL Solutions is the only independent OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized to perform PoE certification testing for the Ethernet Alliance (EA).
• UL Solutions Taiwan laboratory is conveniently located in Asia   to service the developing market of PoE devices. Our global presence offers you access to our collaborative network of resources.
• We can also evaluate your devices to different national or international safety standards.

Click here to find out more details on the Power over Ethernet (PoE) Certification program.

Additional reading

• Why it’s more important than ever to get authentic, interoperable PoE
• Ensuring PoE-Powered Devices Will Interoperate as Advertised