PoE device tester delivers cost benefits

PoE technology can enable significant benefits in cost, efficiency and flexibility and allows the installation of a number of network-connected devices such as cameras or displays.                                                                                                                                            

Simply, the MicroScanner PoE verifies and troubleshoots Ethernet cabling and displays the level of power available.

Therefore, installation engineers are quickly informed if there is sufficient power available for new PoE devices to be installed on a network.

A major issue for technicians is that there is no definitive standard today for PoE; instead there exists a number of varying ‘standardised’ implementations. It can therefore be difficult even for highly experienced engineers to be sure that certain devices will work together.

This has resulted in the launch of a certification programme by the Ethernet Alliance to help address this problem – power levels and requirements are designated on a scale from zero to eight, which indicates the amount of power sourced or required.

Implementing this approach, when connected to a PoE network switch, the MicroScanner PoE will display the maximum power level reported by the switch, in accordance with Ethernet Alliance designations, therefore making it easy for technicians to know if the switch and device are compatible.

The tester enables cable wire mapping and offers distance-to-fault indicators to allow cable problems to be tracked quickly. Upon connection to a live switch port, the tester displays the speed of a port up to 10-Gbps, which is especially helpful in troubleshooting slow access points.

The MicroScanner PoE from Fluke Networks is available now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.