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  • Author Author: rscasny
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Poll: Are You Interested in Roadtesting a PoE-to-USB-C Power and Data Adapter?

I wanted to get your opinion about roadtesting a PoE-to-USB-C Power and Data Adapter

 

Made by Microchip, the PoE to USB-CRegistered Power and Data Adapter connects Internet of Things (IoT) devices with a USB-C connector to Power over Ethernet (PoE) networks, enabling you to leverage the advantages of PoE and USB-C technologies. It provides both power and data to USB-C hosts.

POE to USCB-C Power and Data Adapter

Here are some more facts about this product:

 

The PD-USB-DP60 adapter enables flexible installation of USB-C devices, removes the need for a close power outlet and resolves the issue of limited USB cable length. The PoE source can be up to 328 ft/100m from the location of the USB-C device. A single Ethernet cable is needed while delivering up to 60W of USB power at the output of the adapter.

 

The PD-USB-DP60 connects with small PCs/Next Unit of Computing (NUC), interactive information kiosks, smart monitors, tablets, laptops, cellphones, cameras and other USB-C powered devices consuming up to 60W. The adapter is compatible with USB2.0 and 3.1 and will automatically provide to the end device the exact amount of power it needs.

 

  • Up to 60W output power
  • Enables powering of small PCs/Next Unit of Computing (NUC), interactive information kiosks, smart monitors, tablets, laptops, cameras and other USB-C devices
  • Provides power and data to USB-C Hosts
  • Allows 328 ft/100m installation range
  • Supports PoE Switches and Injectors from 15.4W and up to 90W
  • Plug and play USB-C Power, no configuration is needed, simple to use

 

Here's the datasheet:

https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/PoE_to_USB-C_Adapter_Datasheet_00003813C.pdf

 

Here's the quick start guide:

https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/00003800.pdf

 

Here's a short video:

https://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/PD-USB

  • in reply to colporteur

    What you have is likely a "passive PoE" injector. This is pre/non-standards compliant with many opting for 24V plus or minus a little.

     

    Standards (i.e. 802.3af or later) PoE operates at 48V and involves some very specific logic to negotiate power and only enable it for downstream ports that require it. Using passive PoE equipment with standards based equipment can result in unpredictable operation or damage. Using passive PoE with non PoE downstream equipment can also cause damage.

     

    - Gough

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    I found, what I would call a PoE injector but the label indicates it is a switching power supply. I made the purchase at a local thrift shop for a cash outlay of $1.50. The store clerk was surprised I knew what it was. It was in a box of wall adapters.

     

    Now I'm not so sure it is PoE compliant.

    Model PSA15M-300(AP)

         pin 7&8 +30V

         pin 4&5 return

     

    The pinout voltage and return is reversed from what I have found regarding PoE injectors.

     

    Does anyone have any insight?

     

    I would like to try it with the PoE Pi Hat I have but no sure if it will let the smoke out.

  • in reply to shabaz

    "...There should be good options in-between too, I just do not know them..."

    If you want PoE++ type 3 & type 4 then:

    PD-9501GC - PoE Systems (microchip.com)

    PD-9601GC - PoE Systems (microchip.com)

    around the $100-$125 bracket.

  • For anyone who is interested in getting PoE for home, a very low-cost way is to pick up from ebay a 'SD208P' switch, they are only 100Mbit/sec, but are cheap, about $20-£30 (only worth getting if it comes with the power brick, some on ebay are missing it and are therefore worthless). It's an old obsolete product (but I still use one at home, powered up for close to 10 years - works fine).

    A network 'switch' is the usual way to get PoE. There are other products like 'inline PoE Adapters' but they are a workaround. The usual scenario is to use a switch, to supply data + PoE.

    With the SD208P, there's no configuration required, it is plug-and-go, it is an 8-port switch, and it will allow four of the ports to supply PoE up to 24W aggregate total across all 4 (15W max per port).

     

    To use it, one RJ45 connection from the switch goes to your existing network (plug it into the modem/router) and the remainder supply data, and four of them supply data + PoE.

     

    That is about the lowest-cost way to have reasonable PoE capability that I know of, perfect for testing. It could be used for powering up (for instance) at least a couple of Pi's.

     

    For much higher limits, then ebay has 3560-cx switches, if you look for one with a 'P' in there (e.g. 3560-CX-P12) then it has "PoE+", and lots of it, up to 240W aggregate. and up to 30W per port. However typical price for these units is $200-300. And would need some configuration and you'd also need to check it comes with firmware (IOS) pre-installed. So not for a complete beginner but not difficult either. Great devices though. I think it is one of the nicest, fairly modern switches for home use or small business, it should last for years.

     

    So, that's two possibilities, one for $20-30, and one for $200-300. There should be good options in-between too, I just do not know them.

  • Do I understand correctly that the roadtest includes only the device and you have to have PoE supply equipment installed already on the upstream end, supplying power and have the data connection?

  • in reply to Gough Lui

    I've been reading the driver manual, and it looks like it shows up in the app manager in windows as a network device.

  • in reply to obones

    It's a PoE PD supply with a LAN7800 USB-to-Ethernet chip providing the ability to communicate over Ethernet. The adapter will appear as a USB device, this is noted in the datasheet. I know the description does sound a little confusing - if you were hoping it would provide a transparent USB 3.0 link over Ethernet ... this won't do that.

     

    - Gough

  • Nice : ) It looks like a real problem-solver for quickly deploying kiosks/terminals. Could be handy for retail stores wishing to adapt at speed. I wonder if anyone's developed an Android or iPad app for scanning and checking out items like in supermarket self-checkout but relying on image recognition rather than weighing scales etc. Seems like a great opportunity to be honest... even if it relied on someone checking the bags outside (like Fry's Electronics do at the exit).

  • in reply to DAB

    "...I did not think that much power was available from a standard ethernet port..."

     

    The wonderful thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from...

     

    The PoE++ standard can output up to 60W (type 3) or 100W (type 4) per port.