Businesses and building managers are finding new and reliable ways to connect lighting networks. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a wireless communication points are centered onto one ethernet cable rather than having numerous wi-fi access points throughout an area or building. Consumers are finding PoE a better solution for lighting controls and connectivity and is predicted to rise in coming years.
Power over Ethernet has a few very prominent competitors for options in smart lighting. Bluetooth and Wi-fi technology has been taking over the scene for connective technologies. A survey done by LEDs Magazine reported that most participants have experience with Bluetooth and wi-fi for lighting control projects or other projects involving connectivity technology. These participants also responded that most of their involvement with lighting projects is with lighting design and specification. The categories that followed include system integration, product development and distributions or supply chain.
PoE is gaining more traction for being used in various lighting projects and connectivity systems. The market for PoE in smart buildings is projected to have a compounded annual growth rate of about 15%. Survey participants has a mostly positive overall opinion. They were asked opinions about PoE capabilities in energy savings, dominance of PoE connectivity over wired, DC grid efficiency and cable reliability and limitations. The only category that participants did not mostly agree on is that PoE would be the dominate choice over wireless connectivity.
Click here to read the full article originally posted on LEDs Magazine.